New Delhi: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) with assistance from the Indian Navy and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), has confiscated 3,300 kg of drugs from a vessel allegedly operated by Pakistani crew members off the Gujarat coast.
The estimated international market value of the seizure surpasses Rs 2,000 crore.
According to the Navy, the cache of seized narcotics, which includes 3,089 kilograms of charas, 158 kg of Methamphetamine, and 25 kg of morphine, is by far the “largest in terms of quantity in recent times”. It had “Produce of Pakistan” written on it. The five crew, all Pakistani nationals, of the ship have also been arrested.
A ship deployed by the Indian Navy, which had been on a mission at sea for two days, intercepted the suspicious boat upon its entry into Indian territorial waters, a surveillance aircraft showed. The boat, drugs, and the detained crew members were then transported to Porbandar, Gujarat, where an investigation is on to gather further information regarding them.
The NCB is scheduled to hold a press conference at 3 pm to provide more details.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah commended the law enforcement agencies for their remarkable achievement. “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,” he posted on X.
The Indian Navy has previously conducted numerous successful operations at sea, recovering drugs worth millions of rupees.
