Gujarat ATS & Coast Guard Seize 300 Kg Of Drugs Worth ₹1,800 Crore Near International Maritime Boundary Line

Ahmedabad: A collaborative effort between the Gujarat ATS and the Indian Coast Guard resulted in the seizure of approximately 300 kg of narcotics valued at Rs 1800 crore. This operation took place off the International Maritime Boundary Line near the Gujarat coast and spanned two days, beginning on April 12. The shipment has been retrieved from the sea, and ATS is carrying out further investigations.  This successful operation highlights the impressive collaboration among agencies in the battle against drug smuggling.

Gujarat Home Affairs minister Harsh Sanghavi tweeted, “This operation showcases the success of teamwork among various agencies in tackling drug smuggling, akin to earlier joint efforts by the Indian Coast Guard, NCB, and ATS that have led to substantial seizures.”

Authorities frequently intercept narcotics in the waters off Gujarat.  Individuals engaged in the illicit trade of narcotics across the Arabian Sea are being apprehended by security agencies.  In a notable development, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) have once again achieved success in confiscating a significant amount of drugs. 

About The Operation

The operation took place in the waters located 190 kilometers from Porbandar.  A significant operation has led to the seizure of 300 kilograms of narcotics valued at Rs 1800 crores. Upon spotting the Coast Guard vessel, the crew of the Pakistani boat discarded the drugs into the ocean and made their escape. The Coast Guard subsequently retrieved the amount of drugs from the water.  The operation took place on April 12-13.

In a recent update, Gujarat ATS DIG, Sunil Joshi, revealed that J.M. Patel had received intelligence regarding a Pakistani individual named Fida, who was reportedly planning to dispatch 400 kg of drugs to Porbandar. A Sri Lankan boat arrived to collect it. During  an attempt to apprehend the suspect, the Pakistani vessel discarded its cargo into the waters near Porbandar before making its escape.  The Coast Guard pursued it, but the vessel made its way to Pakistan.

Authorities have successfully retrieved approximately 311 packets of narcotics from the ocean. The identity of the individual responsible for sending these drugs has been disclosed in the ATS investigation. Raids have been carried out through various means, including land, sea, and container routes.  In a series of operations, authorities have confiscated 5400 kg of narcotics from the maritime route, involving 77 individuals from Pakistan, 34 from Iran, and 2 from Nigeria, with an estimated value of Rs 10,000 crore.

The coastal regions of Gujarat and Maharashtra are emerging as significant pathways for drug trafficking. In the past few years, the ICG and ATS have successfully confiscated significant amounts of narcotics during various collaborative operations. In April 2024, authorities intercepted a Pakistani vessel near the Porbandar coast, confiscating 86 kg of narcotics valued at Rs 600 crore and detaining 14 crew members from Pakistan.

In February 2024, a significant operation by the Indian Navy and NCB resulted in the seizure of 3300 kg of illicit substances, including 3089 kg of hashish, 158 kg of methamphetamine, and 25 kg of morphine, near Porbandar. Their worth ranged from Rs 1300 to 2000 crore.