In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in a joint operation with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), seized over 300 kg of methamphetamine valued at approximately Rs. 1,800 crore, according to a statement by the Ministry of Defence on Monday.
The overnight operation, conducted between April 12 and 13, was based on actionable intelligence provided by the Gujarat ATS. An ICG vessel from the Coast Guard Region (West), deployed on a multi-mission patrol off the North Maharashtra–South Gujarat coast, was redirected to intercept a suspicious boat near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Sensing the Coast Guard’s approach, the suspect vessel jettisoned its cargo into the sea and attempted to flee toward the IMBL. While the suspect boat managed to cross into international waters, evading apprehension, the ICG launched a sea boat and successfully recovered the dumped narcotics consignment after an intensive night-time search.
The seized drugs have since been transported to Porbandar for further investigation.
This successful bust marks the 13th major joint operation between the ICG and Gujarat ATS in recent years, showcasing the strength of inter-agency coordination in safeguarding national security and combating transnational crime.
