In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, authorities have intercepted an Iranian boat laden with a staggering 3,300 kg of narcotics off the Gujarat coastline, resulting in the arrest of five individuals believed to be of Iranian origin. This operation, executed late Tuesday, was a collaborative effort involving the Indian Navy, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

The vessel, along with its crew, was directed to Porbandar port, where they were taken into custody by the local police to commence a thorough investigation into the matter. According to reliable sources, this is not just any drug seizure but stands out as the most substantial in recent history, as confirmed by the Defence Ministry.

Detailing the haul, the Ministry revealed an alarming quantity of illegal substances onboard: approximately 3,089 kg of charas, 158 kg of methamphetamine, and 25 kg of morphine. These numbers not only highlight the scale of the operation but also shed light on the diverse nature of the narcotics intercepted.

Authorities estimate the international market value of the seized drugs to exceed a colossal Rs 2,000 crore, underscoring the significant blow dealt to the drug trafficking network by this operation. This seizure marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against narcotics smuggling, showcasing the vigilance and coordinated efforts of India's defense and anti-narcotic agencies.

Labels indicating "Produce of Pakistan" were found on the packages containing a vast array of drugs, which included 3,089 kg of cannabis, 158 kg of methamphetamine, and 25 kg of morphine. This discovery points towards the international dimensions of the drug trafficking operation intercepted by Indian authorities.

The operation that led to this major seizure was initiated by an Indian Navy ship, which had been deployed on a mission for two days. Acting on precise information provided by a surveillance aircraft, the Navy intercepted the suspicious vessel as it made its way into Indian territorial waters. This timely action underscored the effectiveness of intelligence and surveillance in combating drug smuggling.

Upon boarding and searching the vessel, authorities uncovered the substantial quantity of drugs, leading to the immediate arrest of the five crew members aboard. The boat, along with its illegal cargo, was confiscated, marking a significant victory in the fight against narcotics trafficking.

The Gujarat Police, in their investigation, have uncovered that the destination for these drugs was intended to be the southern states of India. A senior officer from the Gujarat Police disclosed, "We have arrested five foreign nationals in connection with the case, and they don’t have any identification documents with them." 

The Ministry of Defence released a statement detailing a highly coordinated maritime operation involving the Indian Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which led to the apprehension of a suspicious vessel. This operation was a direct result of a collaborative effort, where “In a coordinated operation at sea, the Indian Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) apprehended a suspicious vessel carrying almost 3300 kg contraband… Based on intelligence received from the Indian Navy’s maritime surveillance aircraft which were corroborated with inputs from the NCB, a mission-deployed IN warship was pressed into action to intercept a suspicious dhow enroute to the Indian waters with sizeable contraband. IN units successfully located, tracked and intercepted the suspicious boat at sea,” according to the Ministry’s disclosure.

Following the successful interception of the vessel, it was towed to the nearest Indian port by the Indian Navy warship. This action was pivotal in ensuring that the crew and the narcotics found on board could be handed over to the relevant law enforcement agencies for further processing. The Ministry of Defence underscored the importance of this operation, noting that “Subsequently, the boat was towed by the IN warship to the nearest Indian port for handing over the crew and contraband to the law enforcement agencies. This operation is significant, not only in terms of quantity and cost of the seized contraband, but also highlights the collaborative efforts between the Indian Navy and the NCB for disruption of the illegal narcotics smuggling routes, which emanate from the Makran coast and flow towards various IOR countries,” emphasizing the strategic implications of this seizure.

The Indian Navy also issued a statement, elaborating on the scale of the narcotics seizure, which marked a record in terms of quantity. "The seizure of drugs from the dhow, which is by far the largest in terms of quantity, was possible through the collaborative efforts of the Indian Navy's mission-deployed assets with the NCB. The contraband along with the apprehended boat and crew have been handed over to the Law Enforcement Agencies at an Indian port," the Navy stated. This illustrates the effectiveness of the coordination between the Navy and the NCB in combating drug trafficking via maritime routes.

Adding to the narrative, a senior official from the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) informed PTI about the geographical specifics of the operation. It was conducted near the International Maritime Boundary Line in the Arabian Sea, highlighting the strategic execution of the operation. The initial detection of the suspicious dhow was made by an Indian Navy surveillance aircraft near Porbandar. This crucial piece of intelligence led to the diversion of a ship specifically to intercept the vessel, which was under suspicion for smuggling drugs, showcasing the vigilance and proactive measures taken by the Indian Navy in safeguarding the nation’s maritime boundaries against illegal activities.

Following actionable intelligence from a P8I LRMR aircraft on a surveillance mission, the Indian Navy quickly redirected one of its ships to intercept a dhow suspected of contraband smuggling. "Based on the input of P8I LRMR aircraft on surveillance mission, IN mission-deployed ship was diverted to intercept the suspicious dhow engaged in contraband smuggling," was the official statement from the Navy, illustrating the prompt response to the threat.

This recent operation occurs shortly after another significant drug haul. Just a week prior, law enforcement had seized 1,100 kilograms of mephedrone, also known as 'Meow Meow'. This substantial find, valued at Rs 2,500 crore, was the result of extensive raids carried out in Pune and New Delhi, marking a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking.

Following the successful interception, the seized vessel, along with its illicit cargo and crew, was brought to Porbandar, Gujarat. There, a thorough investigation has commenced to gather further details about the individuals involved in this smuggling operation. The meticulous work of the authorities aims to uncover more about the network behind this attempt.

Adding to the commendations for this operation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to social media to express his appreciation for the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved. "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," his post read, highlighting the significant achievement as a step towards a drug-free India.

These recent operations add to the Indian Navy's ongoing efforts and successes in intercepting drug shipments at sea, underscoring their crucial role in national security and the broader fight against international drug trafficking.

In a significant crackdown in Pune, authorities managed to seize 700 kg of mephedrone, a powerful synthetic stimulant. Additionally, in Delhi, another 400 kg of this substance was confiscated, underscoring the widespread nature of this drug trafficking operation.

Going back to 2021, a massive operation at Gujarat's Mundra port led to the seizure of 2988.21 kilograms of narcotics, with an estimated street value of a staggering Rs 21,000 crore. This haul highlighted the extensive measures traffickers take to smuggle drugs into the country.

The suspicious consignment, intercepted by the authorities, was being imported under the guise of semi-processed talc stones by a trading company based in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. This attempt to disguise the true nature of the shipment underscores the sophistication of drug smuggling operations.

Further investigations into this case unveiled that the narcotics originated from Afghanistan and were transported to Mundra port via Iran's Bandar Abbas Port. This international route illustrates the complex networks involved in the drug trade. Law enforcement agencies conducted raids across multiple cities including Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Gandhidham, and Mandvi in Gujarat, demonstrating the comprehensive effort to dismantle the smuggling operation.

As a result of these investigations, several individuals, including M Sudhakar and his wife, G Durga Purna Vaishali, who owned the trading company implicated in the smuggling, were arrested. Their involvement highlights the roles that various entities play in the illegal narcotics trade.

In total, seven firms and 42 individuals have been implicated in this case, indicating the broad scope of the network involved in narcotics smuggling and the determined response of law enforcement agencies to combat this challenge.