ICG, Gujarat ATS seize narcotics worth over ₹3,000 crore in Arabian Sea
New Delhi, Sep 30. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in coordination with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Gujarat, has foiled a major maritime narcotics smuggling attempt in the Arabian Sea, seizing around 526 kg of high-grade drugs valued at more than ₹3,000 crore.
The operation was conducted on September 25 in the Arabian Sea, west of Lakshadweep, following intelligence inputs about the suspected movement of a vessel carrying narcotics.
According to the Defence Ministry, the seized contraband included heroin and methamphetamine. Five Pakistani nationals allegedly operating the vessel were apprehended during the operation.
Acting on the intelligence, ICG assets carried out coordinated sea and aerial surveillance and tracked the suspected vessel for an extended period before launching a hot pursuit. The operation culminated in the interception and boarding of a suspicious Iranian dhow in the high seas.
The dhow, the apprehended crew and the seized narcotics were subsequently brought to Mumbai under armed security. They were handed over for joint interrogation and further investigation, with multiple agencies expected to undertake subsequent legal proceedings.
The operation marks another significant action by Indian maritime security agencies against the trafficking of narcotics through the country’s maritime domain. The ICG said such operations contribute to the government’s vision of a ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ (Addiction-Free India) and reaffirm its commitment to preventing maritime drug trafficking and other illicit activities in India’s maritime zones.
The seizure also highlights the growing focus on coordinated sea-air surveillance and inter-agency operations to disrupt narcotics networks using maritime routes for smuggling into the region.
