Pakistani boat apprehended near Gujarat coast with drugs worth ₹600 crore, 14 arrested

The Pakistani nationals were held during a joint operation of the Indian Coast Guard, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).

The operation was carried out by the agencies based on intelligence inputs for the last few days.

“In a breathtaking overnight operation, Indian Coast Guard undertook an intelligence-based anti-narcotics operation at sea on 28 Apr 24,” the coast guard said. “Approximately 86 kg of narcotics worth ₹600 crore has been apprehended along with 14 crew from the Pakistani boat. The operation was an epitome of inter-agency coordination wherein the Indian Coast Guard (ICG)Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) collaborated seamlessly which culminated in the successful operation.”

“The ships and aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard were deployed on concurrent missions to effect the operation. ICG ship Rajratan, which had NCB and ATS officials embarked, positively identified the suspect boat. No amount of evasive manoeuvring tactics employed by the drug laden boat could save it from the swift and strong ICG ship Rajratan,” it added.