- The Indian Navy intercepts a small ship on Tuesday and recovered more than 3,089 kg of charas, 158 kg of methamphetamine, and 25 kg of morphine
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, FEB 28
In a joint effort, the Indian Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Tuesday seized around 3,300 kg of drugs from a vessel near Gujarat’s Porbandar, marking the largest drug bust in recent history, said the Navy.
#IndianNavy in a coordinated ops with Narcotics Control Bureau, apprehended a suspicious dhow carrying almost 3300Kgs contraband (3089 Kgs Charas, 158 Kgs Methamphetamine 25 Kgs Morphine).
The largest seizure of narcotics, in quantity in recent times.@narcoticsbureau pic.twitter.com/RPvzI1fdLW— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) February 28, 2024
The operation culminated in the seizure of a small ship, leading to the recovery of over 3,089 kg of charas, 158 kg of methamphetamine, and 25 kg of morphine. The vessel’s five crew members, all Pakistani nationals, were arrested.
While the total value of the seized drugs has not been officially disclosed, news agency PTI reported that one kg of charas is estimated to fetch Rs 7 crore in international markets.
“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 Indian Navy said in a statement.
A senior official from the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) said that the operation took place near the International Maritime Boundary Line in the Arabian Sea.
The Indian Navy reported that a surveillance aircraft detected a suspicious dhow (sailing vessel) near Porbandar, prompting a ship to be diverted to intercept the vessel suspected of drug 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,” the Navy said.
This drug bust follows closely on the heels of a massive seizure a week earlier, where 1,100 kilograms of mephedrone, commonly known as ‘Meow Meow’, valued at Rs 2,500 crore, were confiscated during two-day raids in Pune and New Delhi.
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.
The successful coordinated mission reaffirms the strong commitment and resolve of the Indian Navy in thwarting the attempts to use the seas as a medium for illegal activities, especially in India’s maritime neighbourhood.
