Gujarat ATS, Coast Guard Seize Drugs Worth Over Rs 3,000 Crore Near Lakshadweep; 5 Pakistani Nationals Held

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard, has seized a large consignment of narcotics valued at more than Rs 3,000 crore from a vessel intercepted in the waters west of Lakshadweep. Five Pakistani nationals who were allegedly transporting the drugs were apprehended during the operation.

The seizure was carried out on September 25 following intelligence inputs received by the Gujarat ATS about the movement of a major drug consignment through the Arabian Sea. Acting on the information, the ATS coordinated with the Coast Guard to track and intercept an Iranian-flagged dhow suspected of carrying the narcotics.

According to officials, the vessel was intercepted in Indian waters after it was identified as being involved in the movement of the suspected consignment. A search of the dhow led to the recovery of approximately 526 kg of narcotics. The seized material included heroin and methamphetamine, with the combined value of the drugs estimated to be more than Rs 3,000 crore in the international market. The five men found aboard the vessel were identified as Pakistani nationals. They were detained by the authorities and subsequently brought to Mumbai for further interrogation and legal proceedings. Investigators are examining the identities of the accused, their links to suspected drug networks and the intended destination of the consignment.

The operation was reportedly launched after the Gujarat ATS received information about a planned movement of around 500 kg of narcotics. Intelligence agencies suspected that the consignment was to be transferred at sea to another vessel operating from Tamil Nadu. The suspected transfer was allegedly planned to take place in Indian waters.

Officials are now investigating the larger network behind the shipment, including the source of the narcotics, the people who financed or organised the operation and those who were expected to receive the consignment after its transfer. The agencies are also examining the route taken by the dhow and its possible links to an international drug-trafficking network.

The seizure is among the major recent drug interceptions carried out by Indian security agencies in the Arabian Sea. Maritime routes have increasingly been monitored by enforcement agencies amid concerns over the trafficking of narcotics through vessels operating in international and Indian waters. The Gujarat ATS and Coast Guard are continuing their investigation, while the arrested men are expected to be questioned further to establish the complete chain of the suspected smuggling operation.