Record 3,300 kg of narcotics caught off Gujarat coast; Five foreigners held
AHMEDABAD/NEW DELHI: In a joint operation, the Indian Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized a record 3,300 kg of narcotics from a fishing boat off Gujarat coast, making it the largest drug haul in recent years. Five foreign nationals onboard the boat have been arrested.
The value of the contraband could be between Rs 1,300-2,000 crore on the international drugs market, the NCB said on Wednesday. The drugs seized include 3,089 kg of charas, 158 kg of methamphetamine and 25 kg of morphine, officials said.
The unregistered fishing boat was intercepted on Tuesday morning on the Arabian Sea, around 60 nautical miles from the Indian coast. The packets bore the stamp of ‘Ras Awad Goods Co, produce of Pakistan’, the NCB added.
The Navy deployed its P8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, marine commandos and helicopters. The drugs originated from Chabahar in Iran. The boat has been brought to Porbandar. Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the NCB, Indian Navy, and the Gujarat police for the “historic success”.