Drug Smugglers Exploit Starlink for Navigation in Indian Ocean

In a significant maritime drug bust, Indian authorities have uncovered that smugglers utilized Starlink satellite internet services to navigate through the Indian Ocean. On November 23, 2024, the Indian Coast Guard intercepted a fishing trawler near Barren Island, approximately 150 km from Port Blair, seizing over 6,000 kg of methamphetamine valued at ₹36,000 crore ($4.25 billion). Six Myanmar nationals aboard the vessel were detained.

During the operation, officials confiscated various items, including Myanmar currency, a portable Inmarsat satellite phone, multiple SIM cards, and notably, a Starlink satellite dish. This marks the first recorded instance in India where smugglers have employed Starlink’s high-speed internet connectivity to facilitate illicit activities at sea.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Director General of Police, Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, stated, “This is the first time in India that we’ve encountered smugglers using Starlink for high-speed internet connectivity to navigate through rough seas and remote regions.” He added that while Starlink services are available in neighboring countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia, they are not officially accessible in Myanmar.

Authorities are now seeking information from SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink, to determine the procurement details of the device, including the purchaser’s identity, purchase date, stated purpose, and usage history. The investigation also revealed that the smugglers had entered navigational coordinates for Neil Island in South Andaman and Rangat in Middle Andaman, suggesting potential plans to offload portions of the consignment in these areas.

This incident underscores the increasing sophistication of drug trafficking operations in the region, with smugglers leveraging advanced technologies like satellite internet to coordinate and execute their activities. The Andaman Sea, strategically located between the Golden Triangle and major drug markets, has become a critical route for narcotics smuggling networks.

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Indian authorities are intensifying efforts to dismantle such networks and are collaborating with international agencies to address the evolving challenges posed by the integration of modern technology into illicit operations.