Indian Coast Guard intercepts Iranian boat carrying Rs 3,000 crore drug consignment in Arabian Sea. (Img: X)
New Delhi: In one of the biggest maritime drug seizures in recent times, the Indian Coast Guard, in coordination with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), intercepted an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea near Lakshadweep and seized narcotics worth more than Rs 3,000 crore.
The joint operation resulted in the recovery of 526 kilograms of high-grade methamphetamine and heroin from the vessel. Five Pakistani nationals who were allegedly operating the boat were detained during the operation, officials said.
The massive drug seizure has raised fresh concerns over international narcotics networks using sea routes to transport illegal consignments into India. Security agencies are now conducting detailed investigations to trace the source, route and possible network linked to the seized drugs.
According to officials, the operation was launched on September 25 after intelligence inputs indicated the movement of a suspicious vessel carrying a drug consignment through the Arabian Sea.
The Indian Coast Guard deployed its maritime surveillance assets, including sea and air monitoring systems, to track the suspected dhow. After identifying the vessel’s movement, Coast Guard teams launched a coordinated pursuit and boarded the boat west of Lakshadweep.
The intercepted vessel, identified as Azad, was brought under control during the operation. The boat, its crew members and the seized narcotics were later escorted to Mumbai under security arrangements for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Gujarat ATS Deputy Inspector General of Police Sunil Joshi said the operation was conducted based on intelligence inputs regarding a suspected attempt to smuggle a large drug consignment from Iran into India through the maritime route.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the narcotics were intended to reach the Tamil Nadu coast after being transferred through a mid-sea delivery arrangement.
The interception took place around 160 nautical miles northwest of Lakshadweep and nearly 490 nautical miles southwest of Mumbai, highlighting the scale and distance covered during the maritime surveillance operation.
The seizure of methamphetamine and heroin worth thousands of crores has once again highlighted the challenges faced by Indian security agencies in preventing international drug trafficking through coastal routes.
With India’s long coastline and busy maritime channels, enforcement agencies have been increasing surveillance operations to detect suspicious movements and prevent illegal activities linked to cross-border smuggling networks.
The involvement of multiple agencies, including the Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS, reflects a coordinated approach towards tackling organised narcotics trafficking.
Following the seizure, authorities are questioning the detained individuals and examining the boat, communication records and other evidence to identify the larger network behind the consignment.
Investigators are expected to look into the origin of the drugs, their intended destination and possible links with international trafficking groups.
The operation has emerged as a major success for India’s maritime security agencies and may lead to further action against those involved in the alleged smuggling network.
