Gujarat Coast's Massive Drug Bust: 3,300 kg Of Hashish And Meth Seized In Record Haul

A historic offshore seizure of 3,300 kg of narcotics has been made by Indian agencies, marking the largest-ever capture of its kind. The operation, conducted jointly by the Navy, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad, and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), took place in the Arabian Sea along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

An Iranian boat off the Gujarat coast was where the contraband, suspected to contain charas, methamphetamine, and morphine, was seized. This significant bust is attributed to a coordinated effort by multiple agencies to combat drug trafficking in the region.

Amit Shah on Gujarat's Major Drug Bust of 2023

Home Minister Amit Shah stated, "Pursuing PM Modi Ji's vision of a drug-free Bharat, our agencies today achieved the grand success of making the biggest offshore seizure of drugs in the nation. In a joint operation carried out by the NCB, the Navy, and the Gujarat Police, a gigantic consignment of 3132 kg of drugs was seized. 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."

Five foreigners aboard the boat have been arrested in connection with the seizure. They are believed to be either Iranian or Pakistani nationals, although no official documents confirming their nationality have been found. The seizure and arrests mark a major success in the fight against international drug trafficking networks, as reported by India Today.

The NCB has hailed this operation as a significant milestone in their efforts to curb the illegal drug trade. This seizure, with an estimated international market value exceeding Rs 2,000 crore, is the largest of its kind in the Indian subcontinent. The cache of narcotics includes 3,089 kg of cannabis, 158 kg of methamphetamine, and 25 kg of morphine.

The drugs were discovered onboard a vessel manned by the five crew members, suspected to be Pakistani nationals. The vessel and narcotics were seized following the arrests, and investigations are ongoing to determine the origin and destination of the seized drugs, as reported by Republic TV.

Authorities launched the operation based on intelligence gathered from a surveillance aircraft. An Indian Navy ship, deployed at sea for two days, intercepted the suspicious boat upon its entry into Indian territorial waters. The investigation aims to gather more information about the arrested crew members and unravel the network behind the smuggling operation.

Authorities are determined to root out drug trafficking activities in the region and prevent the flow of narcotics into the country. The successful operation underscores the commitment of Indian agencies to combat drug trafficking and highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing this global challenge, reported the Economic Times.

Gujarat and the daze of drugs

In the past years, several major drug busts have been reported in Gujarat, showcasing the successful efforts of law enforcement agencies in combating narcotics smuggling through various joint operations, as reported by Deccan Herald. Here's an overview of the significant seizures:

1. 3,000 kg Heroin Seized at Mundra Port (September 2021): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) made a historic seizure of 2,988 kg of heroin smuggled from Afghanistan at Mundra port in Gujarat. The contraband, disguised as "semi-processed talc stones," was exported from Kandahar and seized by the DRI.
2. Drugs Worth Rs 313 Crore Seized (November 2021): Police confiscated heroin and methamphetamine drugs worth Rs 313.25 crore from three individuals in Devbhumi Dwarka district. The origin of the drugs was suspected to be Pakistan, smuggled into Gujarat via the sea route.
3. Heroin Worth Rs 400 Crore Seized from Pakistan Boat (December 2021): A joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS led to the apprehension of a Pakistani fishing boat carrying 77 kg of heroin worth around Rs 400 crore off the Gujarat coast.
4. Nearly 800 kg of Narcotics Seized by NCB-Navy (February 2022): The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Navy seized about 800 kg of drugs valued at Rs 2,000 crore from a vessel in the Arabian Sea off the Gujarat coast.
5. 120 kg of Heroin Worth Rs 600 Crore Recovered (March 2022): Gujarat ATS seized nearly 120 kg of heroin valued at Rs 600 crore from Morbi district and arrested three individuals.
6. Heroin Worth Rs 1,300 Crore Seized from Container near Kandla Port (April 2022): The Gujarat ATS and DRI seized around 260 kg of heroin worth Rs 1,300 crore from a container station near Kandla port in Kutch district.
7. 155 kg Heroin Worth Rs 775 Crore Seized from Muzaffarnagar (May 2022): Gujarat ATS, with the assistance of Delhi and UP police, recovered 155 kg of heroin worth Rs 775 crore from a house in Muzaffarnagar.
8. NCB Seizes 724 kg Ganja Worth Rs 1.45 Crore in Surat (June 2022): The NCB seized 724 kg of ganja worth Rs 1.45 crore smuggled from Odisha in Surat and arrested six individuals.
9. Gujarat ATS Recovers 225 kg Mephedrone Worth Rs 1,125 Crore (August 2022): The Gujarat ATS seized 225 kg of mephedrone worth Rs 1,125 crore during a raid near Vadodara city.
10. Heroin Worth Rs 350 Crore Seized from Pakistani Boat (October 2022): The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS seized 50 kg of heroin worth Rs 350 crore from a Pakistani boat off the state coast and apprehended its six crew members.

These operations highlight the relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies in Gujarat to dismantle drug trafficking networks and safeguard public health and safety.