Raigad (Maharashtra), Aug 2 (IANS): Security agencies went into alert as a dozen iron drums were found floating seven kilometres off this Maharashtra district, an official said here on Saturday.

The drums were detected by an Indian Coast Guard helicopter while on a routine surveillance sortie near the tourist haven, Kashid Beach, in Raigad, 50 km south of Mumbai.

The drums have a capacity of 200 litres each. Nine of them hit the shores at Barshivi, Kurali and Revdanda and were recovered by police.

As per preliminary investigations, the drums contain an unidentified hydrocarbon product, raising apprehensions of security and environmental concerns.

The Joint Operations Centre, Coastal Security in Mumbai was informed, along with police and the customs department, while Coast Guard patrol vessel ICG Achook was diverted to the area to ascertain the situation.

The authorities are on the lookout to retrieve the other three drums still afloat in the Arabian Sea.