Ahmedabad, Sep 30: The Indian Coast Guard, in a joint operation with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), has seized 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin worth more than ₹3,000 crore from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea.
Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were also detained during the operation, officials said.
The operation was conducted on September 25 near Lakshadweep after security agencies received intelligence inputs about a suspicious vessel.
Coast Guard Tracks Iranian Boat
According to the Indian Coast Guard, its assets conducted sea and air surveillance after receiving intelligence about the vessel. The suspicious dhow was tracked before Coast Guard personnel launched a hot pursuit and boarded the boat west of Lakshadweep.
A large quantity of high-grade methamphetamine and heroin was recovered from the vessel.
The boat, its crew and the seized drugs were subsequently brought to Mumbai under armed escort for joint interrogation and further legal proceedings.
Five Pakistani Nationals Detained
The Gujarat ATS confirmed that five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were apprehended during the operation.
Authorities are carrying out further investigations to determine the source of the drugs, their intended destination and the network involved in the alleged trafficking.
The Gujarat ATS is also scheduled to brief the media about the operation.
Major Maritime Drug Trafficking Operation
The seizure comes amid increased efforts by Indian security agencies to prevent transnational drug trafficking through maritime routes.
The Indian Coast Guard said the operation demonstrated its surveillance and maritime interdiction capabilities and highlighted its efforts to prevent illegal activities in India’s maritime zones.
Officials said the seizure could disrupt the financial network of international drug syndicates and prevent synthetic drugs from reaching the Indian mainland.
Investigation Underway
The seized drugs, vessel and detained crew members have been brought to Mumbai as agencies continue their investigation.
The authorities are expected to gather more information about the suspected international drug trafficking network during the joint interrogation and subsequent legal proceedings.
