In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized 300 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at ₹1,800 crore during a joint operation near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Arabian Sea off Gujarat’s coast.
According to a senior Gujarat ATS official, the high-value narcotics consignment was allegedly smuggled from Pakistan. The smugglers, aboard a fishing boat, reportedly panicked upon spotting Indian patrol vessels about half a mile inside Indian waters and dumped the drugs into the sea before fleeing into Pakistani waters to avoid arrest.
Despite the smugglers’ escape, Indian authorities successfully recovered the drug consignment and handed it over to the ATS for further investigation.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi confirmed the development on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. In his post, Sanghavi praised the successful operation and underlined the importance of inter-agency coordination in tackling drug smuggling.
“This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in combating drug smuggling, similar to previous joint operations by Indian Coast Guard, NCB, and ATS that have resulted in significant seizures,” he wrote.
The seizure is part of ongoing efforts to curb narcotics trafficking along Gujarat’s extensive 1,600-km coastline, which poses persistent challenges due to its strategic maritime location and proximity to international smuggling routes.
Officials noted that operations like these send a strong message to drug cartels operating in the region and reaffirm India’s commitment to securing its maritime borders from illicit activities.
Sources By Agencies