Gujarat ATS, Coast Guard seize 526 kg of narcotics near Lakshadweep

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Indian Coast Guard have seized approximately 526 kg of narcotics from an Iranian dhow in Indian territorial waters west of Lakshadweep. The consignment, which included heroin and methamphetamine, was estimated by investigators to be worth ₹3,000 crore.

Five Pakistani nationals aboard the vessel were detained following the operation, according to the supplied report. The interception was carried out after the dhow was tracked through sea-air surveillance.

Operation west of Lakshadweep

The seizure took place at sea, west of the Lakshadweep islands and within Indian territorial waters. The operation involved coordinated action by the Gujarat ATS and the Indian Coast Guard, which monitored the vessel before stopping it.

Authorities recovered about 526 kg of narcotics from the dhow. The drugs identified in the consignment included heroin and methamphetamine, two substances that formed part of the estimated ₹3,000-crore haul.

The vessel was crewed by five Pakistani nationals. All five were detained after the interception, while the dhow and its cargo were taken into the custody of the authorities involved in the operation.

Consignment estimated at ₹3,000 crore

Investigators placed the value of the seized narcotics at approximately ₹3,000 crore. The estimate covers the combined consignment recovered from the vessel, including the heroin and methamphetamine.

The operation highlights the role of surveillance across maritime routes in identifying and intercepting vessels suspected of carrying illegal cargo. In this case, sea-air tracking enabled authorities to follow the Iranian dhow before the seizure was made.

The Gujarat ATS and the Coast Guard are the agencies identified as having carried out the joint operation. The supplied report does not provide further details about the source of the narcotics, their intended destination or any charges filed against the detained individuals.

The seizure and detention of the five crew members are now part of the authorities’ investigation into the consignment and the vessel’s movements. Further details will depend on the findings of that investigation.