The Indian Navy, aided by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), seized a large quantity of contraband at sea on Tuesday. The Navy intercepted and apprehended a suspicious dhow carrying almost 3300 kgs contraband.
The haul included 3089 kgs charas, 158 kgs methamphetamine and 25 kgs morphine. This seizure of drugs is by far the largest in terms of quantity, according to the Navy. The Navy received inputs from a P8I LRMR aircraft on a surveillance mission, which is what led to the seizure.
The contraband, along with the apprehended boat and five crew members, were handed over to law enforcement agencies. The boat carrying the contraband was reportedly an Iranian one.
The boat and its crew are being brought to the shore and are likely to land in Porbandar on Wednesday. The operation was carried out in the Arabian Sea near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the Indian Navy, Gujarat Police and NCB for the operation. Shah wrote on the X platform, “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”.
The cost of the contraband seized has not been revealed as yet. In the international markets, one kg of charas is priced at ₹7 crore.
In another drug haul in the Gir-Somnath district last week, Gujarat Police arrested nine people and seized ₹350 crore of drugs from a fishing boat in Veraval port.
The seizure was a result of a joint operation by the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the NCB. They intercepted a consignment of 50 kgs of heroin with an estimated value of ₹350 crore. The accused were reportedly part of an international drugs cartel.
