Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) seized cocaine worth ₹130 crores from a deserted area near Gandhidham on June 5.

Kutch and nearby areas have been a focal point for the ATS in cracking down on drug trafficking.

Right under the nose of local police teams, the packets of drugs were hidden in the wild bushes, near the HPCL pipeline on the way from Kharirohar to Kandla, Gandhidham.

Acting on a tip, an operation was conducted jointly by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), East Kutch Special Operations Group (SOG), Local Crime Branch (LCB), and Gandhidham B Division Police in the wee hours of June 5 near Khari Rohar area using drones. 

On finding 13 packets of drugs from a bush, it was sent to the forensic science lab (FSL) which revealed that it was cocaine worth ₹130 crore.

According to police, the localites must have been involved with the peddlers, and the investigation for the same is underway.

The drug mafias are believed to have thrown drug packets into the bushes.  Despite efforts by local law enforcement agencies, drug smugglers continue to operate overtly, using various means to evade detection.

Eight months ago, a gang involved in drug smuggling, worth ₹800 crores was busted. However, authorities have not been able to penetrate the core of these networks.

It has been alleged that drug packets are being smuggled into Kutch through containers arriving from the United States, Mexico, or Africa. 

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