Porbandar: Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and Indian Navy in a joint operation in sea off the Gujarat coast, captured a boat with 3,300 kg of drugs and apprehended five men suspected to be from Pakistan or Iran. The boat was apprehended near the International Maritime Boundary Line with Pakistan.

According to the spokesperson of the Indian Navy, “Indian Navy in a coordinated ops with Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), apprehended a suspicious dhow carrying almost 3300Kgs contraband (3089 Kgs Charas, 158 Kgs Methamphetamine 25 Kgs Morphine). The largest seizure of narcotics, in quantity in recent times.”

In a statement the Navy stated that “Based on inputs from P8I LRMR aircraft on surveillance mission & corroboration from NCB, Indian Navy‘s Mission Deployed warship was diverted to successfully intercept & apprehend the suspicious dhow.”

“This seizure of drugs is by far the largest in terms of quantity, & was possible through collaborative efforts of Indian Navy’s mission deployed assets with the NCB. The contraband, apprehended boat & crew handed over to the Law Enforcement Agencies at an Indian port 27 Feb 24,” the statement added.

The Navy also stated, “The coordinated response of the Indian Navy with Law Enforcement Agencies is reflective of our resolute stance against narcotics trafficking in India’s maritime neighborhood.”

Based on inputs from P8I LRMR aircraft on surveillance mission & corroboration from @narcoticsbureau, #IndianNavy‘s Mission Deployed warship was diverted to successfully intercept & apprehend the suspicious dhow.@SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/iFKCBLKzg3

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) February 28, 2024

On the seizure of this huge narcotic substance Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Pursuing PM Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of a drug-free Bharat our agencies today achieved the grand success of making the biggest offshore seizure of drugs in the nation. In a joint operation carried out by the NCB, the Navy, and the Gujarat Police, a gigantic consignment of 3132 kg of drugs was seized. The historic success is a testament to our govt’s unwavering commitment to making our nation drug-free. On this occasion, I congratulate the NCB, the Navy, and the Gujarat Police.” DeshGujarat

Pursuing PM @narendramodi Ji’s vision of a drug-free Bharat our agencies today achieved the grand success of making the biggest offshore seizure of drugs in the nation. In a joint operation carried out by the NCB, the Navy, and the Gujarat Police, a gigantic consignment of 3132…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 28, 2024

Commenting on the operation, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi posted, “In a successful joint operation by the Indian Navy, Gujarat Police, and NCB, a suspicious vessel carrying around 3,132 kg of drugs was apprehended off the Gujarat coast. Under the guidance of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji and the leadership of HM Shri Amit Shah ji, this operation strengthens the commitment to a drug-free Bharat. Congratulations to everyone involved for their excellently orchestrated teamwork.”

In a successful joint operation by the Indian Navy, Gujarat Police, and NCB, a suspicious vessel carrying around 3,132 kg of drugs was apprehended off the Gujarat coast.

Under the guidance of PM Shri @NarendraModi ji and the leadership of HM Shri @AmitShah ji, this operation… pic.twitter.com/a9U8IK45Gu

— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) February 28, 2024

Highlights of the NCB briefing:

• According to officials, the consignment came from Chabahar port in Iran.
• There is an Iran-Pakistan connection in this case
• The international value of seized drugs in this case is in Rs. 1200 crore to Rs. 2000 crore range.
• 60 nautical miles from the Indian border this boat was intercepted
• Indian Navy’s helicopter, marine commandos, and warship were used in this operation
• Officials said it couldn’t be said that the consignment was coming to Gujarat. It could arrive at any point on India’s coastline.
• Despite the impossible number of vessels (only fishing vessels are in lakhs each day) and any one vessel can be a carrier, Indian forces are vigilant.
• The last five operations in high seas were conducted in pro-active actions. NCB would earlier only work on the land, but for the first time, NCB went into the sea with the Navy and Coast Guard.
• N-Cord (national coordination) approach launched in 2019 is achieving success. Various agencies work as a team against the menace of drugs as part of NCord.
• In the history of India, drug destruction achieved in the last three years was never before. 14 lakh kg drugs have been destructed in last 3 years till date.
• This particular case has been worked upon for last few weeks.
• This was the biggest offshore seizure of drugs.
• Highest Charas and Hasheesh captured.
• Five persons arrested are suspected of having a connection with Pakistan.
• The operation is named Sagarmanthan.
• Earlier operation Samudragupt was also launched which achieved four seizures.
• Input was received that a foreign fishing boat, unregistered and without AIS was carrying 3,000 plus narcotics substance and five persons.
• Input was also received that a fishing trolley would come from Tamil Nadu to a specific location to take delivery.
• 27 February morning, this suspected boat was intercepted and brought to the Coast.
• Five persons held had no identity documents.
• Carrier boat, Thuraya handset, and 4 mobile phones are seized.
• The packaging on the drug packet has the Pakistani food company’s brand name.
• Foreign drug law enforcement agencies will be involved in this investigation.