Kumar Bahukhandi
Indian Coast Guard personnel with the seized narcotics following the interception of an Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea west of Lakshadweep. Five Pakistani crew members were apprehended and 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine, estimated to be worth more than ₹3,000 crore, was seized during the operation. Photo: X/Indian Coast Guard
Iranian dhow intercepted west of Lakshadweep after intelligence-led sea-air surveillance; vessel, crew and contraband taken to Mumbai for multi-agency investigation
Key Highlights
- Indian Coast Guard intercepts an Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea
- 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine seized
- Contraband estimated to be worth over ₹3,000 crore in the international market
- Five Pakistani nationals aboard the vessel apprehended
- Operation conducted jointly with Gujarat ATS following actionable intelligence
- Vessel was tracked before Coast Guard personnel launched a pursuit and boarded it
- Crew and seized narcotics taken to Mumbai for further investigation and legal proceedings
New Delhi: A major suspected maritime drug-smuggling operation has been intercepted in the Arabian Sea, with the Indian Coast Guard seizing 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine estimated to be worth more than ₹3,000 crore and apprehending five Pakistani nationals aboard an Iranian dhow.
The operation was carried out in coordination with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad following actionable intelligence about the vessel’s movement west of Lakshadweep. Coast Guard assets mounted sea-air surveillance, maintained a track on the suspicious dhow and subsequently pursued and boarded it on September 25.
A search of the vessel led to the recovery of the large consignment of narcotics. The five crew members on board were identified as Pakistani nationals and apprehended.
The interception assumes significance because of both the quantity and estimated international-market value of the seized contraband. The operation prevented a substantial consignment of heroin and methamphetamine from moving further through the maritime trafficking route.
The dhow, its five-member crew and the seized narcotics have been brought under armed escort to Mumbai, where multiple agencies are expected to undertake joint interrogation and investigation before further legal proceedings.
Investigators are expected to examine the origin and intended destination of the consignment as well as the wider network associated with the vessel and the seized drugs.
