The Indian Coast Guard says a suspicious Iranian boat was intercepted and searched west of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea during a joint operation with Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorism Squad and intelligence agencies.
According to Indian officials, the boat was tracked on the basis of intelligence, pursued after continuous surveillance and intercepted. Security personnel then boarded the boat and took action, dealing a major blow to an alleged international drug-smuggling network.
According to the Indian Coast Guard’s statement, 526 kilograms of high-quality heroin and methamphetamine, said to be worth more than 30 billion Indian rupees, were recovered during the action.
Officials said five Pakistani crew members on the boat were also taken into custody. The arrested men and the seized boat have been moved to Mumbai for further investigation, where various agencies will conduct a joint investigation and legal proceedings will move forward.
The Indian Coast Guard says it will continue its actions to protect maritime borders, dismantle drug-smuggling networks and prevent international organised crime.
