The Indian Coast Guard has seized drugs valued at over ₹ 3,000 crore in the international market from an Iranian boat operated by five Pakistani nationals, all of whom were arrested, following a more than two-week-long high-seas operation to foil a drug-smuggling attempt in the Arabian Sea, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday.
The 16-day operation was jointly conducted by the Coast Guard, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad and central agencies, the officials said, adding that the boat was monitored continuously. The contraband seized includes 526 kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine.
“The intercepted dhow, crew, and seized contraband have been escorted under armed escort to Mumbai for joint interrogation and comprehensive multi-agency legal proceedings,” the Coast Guard said.
This was the fourth drug haul by the Coast Guard this year. Five Pakistani nationals have been arrested, with further investigation underway to identify the wider network and its intended receivers. It has foiled 26 attempts to smuggle drugs into the country over the past five years, seizing more than 8,500 kg of narcotics worth ₹ 46,543 crore, according to official data accessed by HT. The home ministry hailed the operation, conducted from September 14 to 30, saying it reflects the strength of intelligence-led, inter-agency coordination in securing India’s maritime borders. “In a joint operation by Gujarat ATS, Indian Coast Guard and Central intelligence agencies, 526 kg of Methamphetamine and Heroin has been seized from an Iranian boat in India’s EEZ, 160 NM northwest of Lakshadweep and 490 NM southwest of Mumbai. Upholding a stellar example of coordination and cooperation among agencies, the 16-day long operation also seized an Iranian boat,” Shah wrote on X.
Home minister Amit Shah said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is determined to shield its youth from the scourge of drugs. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard said in a statement, “Executing precise sea-air surveillance based on actionable intelligence, Bharatiya Tatrakshak assets maintained unyielding tracking before initiating hot pursuit, neutralising the target, and boarding a suspicious Iranian dhow on September 25, 2026.”
