Five Pakistanis Held as Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS Seize 526 Kg of Drugs in Arabian Sea

NEW DELHI, September 30: The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have seized approximately 526 kg of high-grade heroin and methamphetamine worth more than ₹3,000 crore after intercepting an Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea west of Lakshadweep.

Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were apprehended during the operation. The boat, suspects and seized narcotics were subsequently taken to Mumbai for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Iranian Dhow Intercepted in Arabian Sea

The operation was carried out after security agencies received specific intelligence regarding a suspicious vessel carrying a large narcotics consignment.

Coast Guard assets were deployed to locate the dhow in the Arabian Sea west of Lakshadweep.

The vessel was monitored before security personnel moved in to intercept it.

526 Kg of Heroin and Methamphetamine Seized

A search of the vessel led to the recovery of approximately 526 kg of narcotics.

The consignment included heroin and methamphetamine, with authorities estimating its value at more than ₹3,000 crore in the international market.

The seizure is one of the significant maritime narcotics recoveries reported in recent months.

Five Pakistani Nationals Apprehended

Five Pakistani nationals who were operating the Iranian vessel were taken into custody during the operation.

Authorities are investigating their identities, suspected roles in the trafficking network and possible links with other individuals or organisations involved in moving the narcotics.

The suspects are being questioned as part of the wider investigation.

Operation Carried Out on September 25

The maritime operation was conducted on September 25 following actionable intelligence received by security agencies.

Details of the major seizure were made public on September 30.

Coast Guard units launched coordinated surveillance after information about the suspicious vessel was received.

Sea and Air Surveillance Used to Track Vessel

The Indian Coast Guard used a combination of maritime and aerial surveillance to locate and track the dhow.

Security personnel maintained sustained observation of the vessel as it moved through the Arabian Sea.

The coordinated approach allowed agencies to track the boat before beginning the interception operation.

Coast Guard Launches Hot Pursuit

After identifying the suspicious vessel, Coast Guard personnel launched a hot pursuit.

The Iranian dhow was eventually stopped and boarded by security personnel.

The operation required coordinated action at sea to prevent the vessel from escaping before the suspected narcotics could be recovered.

Gujarat ATS Intelligence Played Key Role

Intelligence inputs provided by the Gujarat ATS played an important role in launching the operation.

The agency worked with the Indian Coast Guard and other intelligence agencies to identify and track the suspected smuggling vessel.

The joint operation demonstrates the growing coordination between maritime security forces and anti-narcotics agencies in tackling drug trafficking through sea routes.

Vessel Escorted to Mumbai

Following the interception, the Iranian dhow was escorted to Mumbai along with the five apprehended crew members and the seized narcotics.

Authorities are carrying out further questioning and documentation before proceeding with legal action.

The seized drugs will also undergo the required forensic and investigative procedures.

Agencies Probe Origin and Destination of Drugs

Investigators are now working to determine the origin of the narcotics and their intended destination.

They are also examining whether the shipment was connected to a larger international trafficking network operating through the Arabian Sea.

Financial transactions, communication records and possible contacts associated with the crew are expected to form part of the investigation.

Arabian Sea Remains Key Smuggling Route

The Arabian Sea has repeatedly been used by international trafficking networks attempting to move large quantities of narcotics toward South Asia.

Smugglers can use fishing boats, dhows and other vessels to transport illegal consignments across long maritime routes.

Indian security agencies have consequently increased surveillance and intelligence coordination across the region.

Maritime Drug Trafficking Under Close Watch

Large drug seizures at sea have increased concerns about organised trafficking networks operating across international waters.

Authorities have been strengthening coordination among the Coast Guard, state anti-terrorism units and central intelligence agencies to identify suspicious vessels before they reach Indian shores.

Sea-based interception operations have become an important component of India’s wider anti-narcotics strategy.

Investigation to Trace Wider Network

The arrest of five Pakistani nationals is expected to lead to a wider investigation into the people responsible for organising and financing the shipment.

Authorities are likely to examine how the Iranian vessel obtained the narcotics, where the consignment was meant to be delivered and whether Indian contacts were involved.

Further arrests or seizures could follow if investigators identify additional members of the network.

Major Drug Consignment Prevented From Reaching Destination

The seizure of 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine worth more than ₹3,000 crore represents a significant interception for Indian maritime security agencies.

The operation prevented a large quantity of narcotics from reaching its intended destination while providing investigators with five suspects and a vessel that could offer further clues about the trafficking network.

The investigation remains underway as agencies seek to establish the complete supply chain behind the shipment.

Source – Indian Coast Guard / Gujarat ATS / India Today / Business Standard / Times of India India Today

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