Drugs worth Rs 1,800 crore seized in joint ops by Coast Guard & ATS off Gujarat coast

New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) seized more than 300 kg of narcotics (methamphetamine), worth about ₹1,800 crore, in a joint operation over the weekend, thwarting yet another attempt at drug trafficking. It was the 13th such joint operation in recent years, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Union home minister Amit Shah said in a post on microblogging site X, "In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1800 crore near the international maritime border. This operation, in the seas, is a shining example of the success of the Modi govt's whole-of-the-government approach to rooting out the evil of narcotics. Applaud Gujarat Police ATS and Indian Coast Guard for the grand success."

The ICG said, "Based on a corroborated input from Gujarat ATS, an ICG ship from the Coast Guard Region (West), which was on multi-mission deployment off North Maharashtra and South Gujarat area, diverted and intercepted an attempted transshipment in proximity of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). On realising the approaching ICG ship, the suspect boat dumped its narcotics consignment in sea before it started fleeing towards the IMBL."


The ICG ship deployed its sea boat immediately for recovery of the jettisoned consignment, commencing a hot chase of the suspect boat. The proximity of the IMBL and the initial separation between the ICG ship and the boat at the time of its detection helped the perpetrator evade interception before it crossed over the IMBL.