526 Kg Drugs Seized From Iranian Dhow
Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS intercepted the vessel west of Lakshadweep, recovering narcotics valued at more than Rs 3,000 crore and detaining five Pakistani nationals.
The Indian Coast Guard, in coordination with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), intercepted an Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea west of Lakshadweep and seized approximately 526 kg of narcotics valued at more than Rs 3,000 crore in the international market. Five Pakistani nationals aboard the vessel were also apprehended.
The operation was carried out on September 25 following intelligence inputs and coordinated sea-air surveillance. Coast Guard personnel tracked the suspicious vessel before launching a pursuit and boarding it in the Arabian Sea.
KEY NUMBERS
Authorities recovered approximately 526 kg of narcotics with an estimated international market value of more than Rs 3,000 crore. Five Pakistani nationals aboard the Iranian dhow were apprehended.
The seized contraband comprised heroin and methamphetamine, according to officials. The Indian Coast Guard said the vessel and its crew were escorted to Mumbai under security arrangements for joint interrogation and further legal proceedings.
The interception followed actionable intelligence about the movement of the vessel. The operation involved sustained tracking before the Coast Guard boarded the dhow, allowing authorities to secure the suspected narcotics consignment and take the crew into custody.
OPERATION DETAILS
The Iranian dhow was intercepted west of Lakshadweep on September 25 after a coordinated sea-air surveillance and pursuit operation by Indian agencies.
The seized vessel, crew and contraband have been taken to Mumbai, where multiple agencies are expected to conduct further investigation. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities of the five crew members or detailed the intended destination of the seized consignment.
The seizure comes amid continued maritime enforcement against suspected narcotics trafficking through the Arabian Sea. The Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS have previously conducted joint operations targeting drug-smuggling networks in the region.