In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in coordination with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), seized 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1,800 crore during a joint operation conducted on the night of April 12–13 near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off the Gujarat coast.
According to officials, the smugglers attempted to escape and dump the narcotics into the sea after spotting the approaching ICG vessel. Despite their efforts, the contraband was successfully recovered from the water and handed over to the Gujarat ATS for further investigation.
“The operation demonstrates the strong inter-agency coordination in combating the drug menace,” the ICG said in a post, highlighting the significance of the bust.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Gujarat ATS, Sunil Joshi, revealed that actionable intelligence led to the interception. He stated that Gujarat ATS had received information about a Pakistani drug supplier named Fida attempting to transfer around 400 kg of narcotics to an Indian fishing vessel from Tamil Nadu near Porbandar.
“ATS Inspector J.M. Patel received the tip-off, and a team led by Inspector V.M. Bharwad and Sub-Inspector Bhupendra Waghela was formed and attached to the Coast Guard to track the operation,” Joshi explained.
During the surveillance mission, the ICG detected a Pakistani fishing boat using radar. When approached, the suspects dumped the drugs overboard in an attempt to evade arrest. This move, officials say, is a standard tactic used to claim innocence if caught.
The latest seizure adds to a series of recent successful interceptions by the ICG. Just a day earlier, on April 11, they had intercepted an Indian fishing vessel, Maa Basanti, approximately 72 nautical miles from Sagar Light, within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Authorities have launched a deeper investigation into the cross-border drug smuggling network, and further action is expected in the coming days.
