₹3,000 Crore Drug Haul: Latest Seizure Puts Coast Guard’s Counter-Narcotics Role in Focus

A major maritime drug seizure in the Arabian Sea has brought renewed focus on the Indian Coast Guard’s role in countering narcotics trafficking through India's maritime zones.

In a joint operation with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the Coast Guard intercepted an Iranian dhow west of Lakshadweep on September 25 and seized approximately 526 kg of high-grade narcotics, comprising heroin and methamphetamine. The drugs were estimated by authorities to be worth more than ₹3,000 crore in the international market. Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were also apprehended.

How the Coast Guard tracked the vessel

According to the Ministry of Defence, the operation was based on intelligence inputs. Coast Guard assets conducted coordinated sea-air surveillance and maintained persistent tracking of the suspected vessel before launching a hot pursuit.

The operation eventually led to the interception and boarding of an Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea. The vessel, its crew and the seized narcotics were subsequently escorted under armed security to Mumbai for joint interrogation and further legal proceedings involving multiple agencies.

The dhow was identified as ‘Azad’. Gujarat ATS officials said the vessel was intercepted around 160 nautical miles northwest of Lakshadweep and about 490 nautical miles southwest of Mumbai.

What was seized?

The seized consignment consisted of approximately:

• 526 kg of narcotics

• Heroin

• Methamphetamine

• Estimated international-market value: more than ₹3,000 crore

• Five Pakistani nationals apprehended aboard the vessel

The Ministry of Defence said the operation was aimed at disrupting a suspected transnational maritime narcotics-smuggling network.

Where was the drug consignment headed?

Preliminary investigation indicates that the consignment was allegedly intended to reach the Tamil Nadu coast after a mid-sea transfer.

Gujarat ATS officials said intelligence inputs indicated that more than 500 kg of methamphetamine and heroin was being transported from Iran towards India. Investigators are now examining the suspected supply chain, the intended recipients and financial transactions associated with the operation.

The seized vessel and crew were brought to Mumbai, where multiple agencies are involved in interrogation and further investigation.

Why the Coast Guard’s role is significant

The latest operation highlights a key aspect of the Indian Coast Guard's responsibilities beyond conventional maritime security.

The force conducts surveillance and law-enforcement operations across India's maritime zones and works with agencies such as state ATS units and central intelligence organisations to identify suspected smuggling activity at sea.

In this case, the operation depended on the combination of intelligence inputs, aerial and maritime surveillance, persistent vessel tracking and coordinated interception. The Coast Guard said the operation demonstrated its continued focus on preventing illicit activities in India's maritime domain.

Previous joint drug-interdiction operations

The latest seizure is not an isolated counter-narcotics operation involving the Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS.

According to official information cited in reports, the two agencies seized 307.5 kg of narcotics off the Gujarat coast in April 2025 in another joint operation.

The repeated use of maritime surveillance and inter-agency operations reflects the importance of monitoring sea routes that can be exploited for international narcotics trafficking.

Investigation into wider network underway

The seizure has prevented the intercepted consignment from reaching its reported intended destination, but investigators are now focusing on the wider network behind it.

Authorities are examining the origin of the drugs, the role of the five apprehended crew members, the suspected mid-sea transfer and the intended recipients. The Ministry of Home Affairs said further investigation is underway to identify the wider network and its intended receivers.

The case also demonstrates how maritime enforcement agencies can intervene before large narcotics consignments reach the Indian mainland, while the investigation continues to determine the full chain of those allegedly involved.