In a significant operation on the high seas, the Indian Navy, in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Navy, intercepted two fishing vessels engaged in drug smuggling. The operation, which spanned two days, commenced on November 24, following a tip-off from the Sri Lankan Navy that flagged two vessels were transporting narcotics through the Arabian Sea.
The Indian Navy acted swiftly upon receiving the intelligence, deploying a long-range maritime patrol aircraft and a remotely piloted drone to monitor and identify the suspicious boats. Their surveillance efforts were bolstered by a naval ship tasked with additional support. Utilizing data from the Information Fusion Centre located in Gurugram, the aircraft successfully located the Sri Lankan-flagged vessels.
Upon identifying the targets, personnel from the naval ship boarded the boats, leading to the substantial seizure of 500 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, an addictive substance that poses significant public health risks. Alongside the seizure of narcotics, nine men who were presumably part of the smuggling operation were taken into custody.
The operation’s success highlights the effectiveness of international maritime cooperation in combating drug trafficking in the region. The Indian Navy has now handed over the captured individuals, the seized narcotics, and the boats to the Sri Lankan Navy, who will conduct further investigations into the matter.
