Porbandar: In a major high-seas anti-narcotics operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Indian Coast Guard foiled a drug trafficking attempt off the Porbandar coast, seizing more than 200 kg of suspected narcotics.

According to officials, the seized consignment is being brought to the Porbandar jetty today for further investigation and legal procedures. Two Iranian nationals allegedly involved in the trafficking have been arrested by the Gujarat ATS.

The Indian Coast Guard, in its official statement, said, “In a swift and daring overnight operation on February 16, 2026, the Indian Coast Guard undertook an intelligence-based operation at sea jointly with the Gujarat ATS. Based on corroborated input from the Gujarat ATS, an ICG ship from the Coast Guard Region (North West), on multi-mission deployment, was diverted to intercept a foreign fishing boat suspected of drug smuggling near the notional International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

Despite the pitch-dark night, ICG personnel identified the suspect boat through a combination of human and technical surveillance. On realizing the approaching ICG ship, the suspect boat attempted to flee towards the IMBL. Despite the initial distance between the vessels at the time of detection, the boat was chased down and stopped.

On boarding, the boat was found to be manned by two foreign nationals. A thorough search led to the recovery of 203 packets (1 kg each) containing crystalline substances suspected to be narcotics, concealed inside the boat. The apprehended vessel has been brought to Porbandar for further investigation and chemical analysis of the seized substance.

The continued coordination between the Indian Coast Guard and the ATS has led to numerous successful law enforcement operations in recent years and reaffirms their synergy towards the national objective of coastal security.”

Gujarat ATS DIG Sunil Joshi said that ATS SP K.K. Patel received intelligence that an Iran-based individual, identified as Haji Fida, was planning to send narcotics to associates in Punjab. The alleged transaction was scheduled to take place approximately 140 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast during the intervening night of February 15 and 16.

Based on the intelligence input, a Gujarat ATS team was formed and the information was shared with the Indian Coast Guard, which initiated action at sea. After an extensive search operation, a small speedboat was spotted and intercepted.

Upon inspection, two individuals identified as Abdul Majid and Abdul Sattar were found onboard. Authorities recovered approximately 203 packets containing a suspicious white chemical substance from the vessel. The seized material has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination. A mobile phone was also recovered from the accused.

Further interrogation of the arrested individuals is underway, and agencies are monitoring other suspected individuals within Gujarat who may be linked to the case. DeshGujarat