Navy's Major Drug Bust: 3,300 Kg Of Meth, Charas Seized Off Gujarat Coast
The Indian Navy, along with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), on Tuesday seized approximately 3,300 kg of drugs from a ship near Gujarat”s Porbandar, marking one of the largest drug seizures in recent memory, as reported by the Navy.
The interception of a small ship on Tuesday resulted in the recovery of over 3089 kg of charas, 158 kg of methamphetamine, and 25 kg of morphine. All five crew members of the ship, who are Pakistani nationals, have been arrested.
The international market value of these seized drugs is estimated to exceed Rs 2,000 crore.
According to the Indian Navy”s statement, this remarkable seizure was made possible through the combined efforts of the Navy”s mission-deployed assets and the NCB. The contraband, along with the detained vessel and crew, has been handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies at an Indian port.
The operation was carried out in the Arabian Sea near the International Maritime Boundary Line, as confirmed by a senior official of the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).
A suspicious dhow (sailing vessel) was initially spotted at sea near Porbandar by a surveillance aircraft, prompting the Navy to divert a ship to intercept the vessel suspected of being involved in drug smuggling.
All confiscated items, including the boat and its crew members, have been taken to Porbandar, Gujarat, for further investigation. Authorities are currently conducting an inquiry to gather more information about the Pakistani crew members and to ascertain the origin and intended destination of the narcotics.
Reacting to this operation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the law enforcement agencies for their dedication to Prime Minister Narendra Modi”s vision of a drug-free Bharat.
“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,” Shah wrote on X.
This massive drug bust follows closely on the heels of another major seizure, where 1,100 kilograms of mephedrone, also known as “Meow Meow”, valued at Rs 2,500 crore, was confiscated in raids spanning Pune and New Delhi. While 700 kg of mephedrone was seized in Pune, an additional 400 kg was found in Delhi.
