₹3,000 Crore Drug Haul! Coast Guard Seizes 526 Kg Meth, Heroin From Iranian Boat, 5 Pakistanis Held

The Indian Coast Guard and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad have seized 526 kg of high-grade methamphetamine and heroin, valued at more than ₹3,000 crore, from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea and detained five Pakistani nationals, officials said on Wednesday.

The operation was carried out on September 25 near Lakshadweep following intelligence inputs about the suspected movement of narcotics through the maritime route. Coast Guard assets launched coordinated sea and air surveillance and tracked the suspicious dhow before initiating a hot pursuit and boarding operation west of Lakshadweep.

The vessel was intercepted and searched, leading to the recovery of a large consignment of synthetic drugs and heroin. The Coast Guard said the five Pakistani nationals found operating the vessel were detained during the operation.

The boat, its crew and the seized contraband were subsequently brought to Mumbai under armed escort for joint interrogation and further legal proceedings. The operation was conducted in coordination with the Gujarat ATS, which is expected to provide further details about the seizure and the identities and backgrounds of those detained.

The seizure highlights the continuing use of the Arabian Sea maritime corridor for transnational narcotics trafficking and comes amid stepped-up efforts by Indian security agencies to intercept drug consignments before they reach the mainland.

Methamphetamine, a highly addictive synthetic stimulant, has emerged as a major concern for enforcement agencies because of the scale and value of consignments moved through international trafficking networks.

The Coast Guard said the successful interdiction demonstrated its maritime surveillance and interception capabilities and reaffirmed its commitment to preventing illicit activities in India's maritime zones.

Officials said the seizure could disrupt the financial networks supporting international drug syndicates and prevent a substantial quantity of narcotics from entering the country's domestic market. Further investigation is expected to establish the source of the drugs, their intended destination and the wider network allegedly involved in the shipment.