Drugs worth ₹600 crore seized from Pakistani boat off Gujarat coast

In a significant operation showcasing the Indian Coast Guard’s vigilance and efficiency, a suspicious Pakistani boat carrying nearly 86 kg of drugs valued at ₹600 crore was intercepted today. Acting on precise intelligence, the Coast Guard, in collaboration with the Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), launched a joint crackdown on a drug trafficking syndicate operating in the region. This successful operation also led to the detention of 14 crew members from the Pakistani vessel.

The Indian Coast Guard, in a press release, hailed the operation as a “breathtaking overnight operation” based on intelligence to combat narcotics smuggling at sea. The agency deployed ships and aircraft on concurrent missions to ensure the operation’s efficiency. Among the key vessels involved was the Coast Guard ship Rajratan, which had officials from both the NCB and ATS on board.

Despite attempts by the suspected drug-laden boat to evade capture, the vigilant Indian Coast Guard ship Rajratan successfully identified and intercepted it. A specialized team from the ship conducted a thorough search, confirming the presence of a significant quantity of narcotics onboard.

“No amount of evasive manoeuvring tactics employed by the drug-laden boat could save it from the swift and strong ICG ship Rajratan. The ship’s specialist team embarked on the suspect boat and, after thorough checks, confirmed the presence of a sizeable amount of narcotics,” stated the Coast Guard.

The seized Pakistani boat, along with its crew, is being brought to Porbandar for further investigation. This operation underscores the Indian Coast Guard’s commitment to maritime security and its relentless efforts to combat illegal activities at sea, particularly drug trafficking, which poses serious threats to national and regional security.

The collaborative efforts of the Indian Coast Guard, ATS, and NCB reflect the coordinated approach of Indian law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational crimes and safeguarding the country’s maritime borders.