In a meticulously coordinated overnight operation conducted on the intervening nights of 11th and 12th March 2024, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted a Pakistani boat carrying narcotics worth approximately Rs 480 crore in the Arabian Sea, about 350 kilometers from Porbandar.
The successful apprehension, based on intelligence inputs, was the result of a joint effort involving ICG ships, Dornier aircraft, and collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Gujarat.
Acting on specific intelligence received from various agencies, the Indian Coast Guard strategically positioned its ships in the Arabian Sea on Monday, 11th March 2024. Additionally, the ICG deployed its Dornier aircraft to scan and locate the suspicious boat in the designated area.
After an extensive search, the ICG ships, accompanied by teams from the NCB and ATS Gujarat, identified the vessel, which was behaving suspiciously under cover of darkness.
Upon being challenged by the Indian Coast Guard vessels, the Pakistani boat attempted evasive maneuvers but was swiftly pursued and forced to halt by the ICG ships. Subsequently, boarding teams conducted preliminary checks and investigations, revealing the presence of approximately 80 kilograms of narcotics valued at around Rs 480 crore.
The apprehended Pakistani boat, along with its crew of six individuals, was detained by the Indian Coast Guard and is currently being escorted to Porbandar for further investigation.
This successful operation marks the tenth apprehension by the Indian Coast Guard in collaboration with ATS Gujarat and the NCB over the past three years, resulting in the seizure of a total of 517 kilograms of narcotics valued at Rs 3,135 crore.
The interception underscores the Indian Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests and combating illicit activities, including narcotics smuggling, in the maritime domain.
The seamless coordination between various agencies involved in the operation reflects the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration and highlights the importance of intelligence-driven operations in ensuring maritime security.
