Gujarat ATS Pressure Pushes Drug Syndicate South; New Smuggling Corridor Busted

Increased surveillance and intensified patrolling by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Indian Coast Guard along the Gujarat coast are believed to have prompted an international drug syndicate to change its traditional maritime route for smuggling narcotics into India.

According to the investigation, the syndicate allegedly shifted from attempting to land consignments directly along the Gujarat coast to a longer route involving Iran, Gwadar, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu and Punjab.

The investigation indicates that the syndicate linked to alleged drug trafficker Haji Salim planned to dispatch boats from Iran’s Konarak port and Pakistan’s Gwadar, before diverting them towards southern India.

Consignment allegedly planned for mid-sea transfer

According to investigators, the plan was to transfer the narcotics from an international vessel to a local fishing boat in the deep sea near Lakshadweep or off the Kerala coast.

The alleged strategy was aimed at making it harder for coastal security agencies to track the consignment and identify the vessel carrying the drugs.

The consignment was then allegedly planned to be brought ashore along the Tamil Nadu coast before being transported overland towards Punjab.

Investigators suspect that the smugglers planned to use goods vehicles fitted with concealed compartments or transport the consignment in smaller consignments to evade security checkpoints.

However, the Gujarat ATS and Coast Guard reportedly carried out a joint mid-sea operation and intercepted the shipment, disrupting the alleged new smuggling corridor.

Probe into local fishing boats and logistics network

Investigators are now examining whether local fishing boats in Tamil Nadu were allegedly hired to receive the consignment and who may have provided logistical support on the ground.

Authorities are also probing the suspected network that was supposed to facilitate the movement of the drugs from the Tamil Nadu coast towards Punjab.

Why smugglers allegedly shifted away from Gujarat coast

Strong surveillance along Kutch-Saurashtra coast:
The Gujarat ATS, Marine Task Force and Coast Guard maintain surveillance along the state's coastline through radar networks and other maritime monitoring mechanisms. Investigators also rely on local intelligence networks, including information from fishermen, making direct approaches towards the Gujarat coast increasingly difficult for suspected smugglers.

Longer route allegedly chosen to evade detection:
Investigators believe the syndicate opted for a longer maritime route from Iran and Gwadar towards the Lakshadweep region instead of approaching the Gujarat coast directly. The alleged objective was to avoid the intensive surveillance covering the western coast and shift the transfer point further south.

The investigation into the alleged international drug network and its local facilitators is continuing.