526 Kg Meth, Heroin Seized from Iranian Boat in Arabian Sea, Five Pak Nationals Detained

Ahmedabad: The Indian Coast Guard, in a joint operation with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad, seized 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin valued at more than Rs 3,000 crore from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea, officials said Wednesday.

Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were detained during the operation, carried out west of Lakshadweep on September 25, following a targeted sea and air surveillance effort. The seized narcotics comprised high-grade methamphetamine and heroin, according to the Coast Guard.

The vessel, its crew and the seized drugs were subsequently brought to Mumbai under armed escort for joint interrogation and further legal proceedings involving national security agencies. The Gujarat ATS separately confirmed the detention of the five Pakistani nationals as part of the coordinated operation.

Authorities said the bust would help disrupt the financial networks of international drug-trafficking syndicates and prevent synthetic narcotics from reaching mainland India.