Gujarat ATS, Coast Guard Seize 526 Kg Drugs Worth Over ₹3,000 Crore In Arabian Sea; 5 Pakistanis Held
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), has carried out its largest-ever successful operation against an international drug trafficking syndicate, seizing 526 kg of high-grade narcotics worth more than ₹3,000 crore in the international market.
The operation was carried out in the Arabian Sea, west of Lakshadweep, after the agencies intercepted a suspicious Iranian boat following a prolonged surveillance operation. Five Pakistani nationals allegedly involved in the trafficking were arrested from the vessel.
Coast Guard Launches ‘Hot Pursuit’ After Intelligence Input
According to the information available, the Gujarat ATS had received intelligence about an attempt to smuggle a large consignment of narcotics into India or nearby regions through the sea route.
Acting on the intelligence, the Indian Coast Guard intensified surveillance across the Arabian Sea, deploying ships as well as aircraft to track suspicious maritime activity.
On September 25, Coast Guard personnel spotted an Iranian boat behaving suspiciously in the Arabian Sea. A Coast Guard vessel launched a ‘hot pursuit’ and intercepted the boat in the high seas.
Coast Guard commandos subsequently boarded and surrounded the vessel before conducting a detailed search.
During the search, the personnel recovered sacks containing high-grade heroin and methamphetamine. The total quantity of narcotics seized was 526 kg, with the international market value estimated at more than ₹3,000 crore.
Five Pakistani Nationals Arrested
Five Pakistani nationals present on board the Iranian boat were apprehended during the operation.
The seized drugs, the Iranian vessel and the arrested suspects were subsequently brought safely to Mumbai port by the Coast Guard.
The Gujarat ATS, Indian Coast Guard, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and other central investigative agencies are now expected to jointly interrogate the arrested suspects.
The investigation will focus on identifying the source of the narcotics, the syndicate behind the shipment and its intended destination. Investigators are also examining whether the consignment was meant to be delivered in India or was being transported onwards to another country.
The operation marks a major seizure in the agencies' efforts to disrupt international maritime drug trafficking networks operating through the Arabian Sea.
