Indian Coast Guard catches Pakistanis in Iranian dhow with 526 kg drugs: How maritime border agency busted a Rs 3,000 crore narcotics haul in Arabian Sea

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in coordination with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Gujarat, has seized around 526 kg of narcotics worth more than Rs 3,000 crore in the international market after intercepting an Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea, officials said.

The operation was carried out on September 25, following actionable intelligence about the suspicious vessel operating west of Lakshadweep. Five Pakistani nationals who were allegedly operating the dhow were apprehended during the operation.

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According to the Indian Coast Guard, the seized consignment comprised heroin and methamphetamine.

Indian Coast Guard intercepts Iranian dhow in Arabian Sea

The Coast Guard said its personnel carried out coordinated sea-air surveillance to track the suspicious vessel before launching a hot pursuit.

After maintaining surveillance, Coast Guard assets intercepted and boarded the Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea.

"In a swift and decisive maritime interdiction striking at the heart of transnational narco-terrorism networks, Bharatiya Tatrakshak, operating in seamless tactical synergy with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Gujarat, successfully neutralised a major maritime narcotics smuggling attempt in the Arabian Sea, west of Lakshadweep," the Coast Guard said in a statement.

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The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 526 kg of contraband, comprising heroin and methamphetamine, officials said.

526 kg heroin, methamphetamine seized; 5 Pakistanis held

The drugs were estimated to be worth more than Rs 3,000 crore in international markets, according to the Coast Guard.

Five Pakistani nationals aboard the vessel were also apprehended following the interception.

The Coast Guard said the operation was based on actionable intelligence and involved coordinated surveillance and tracking before the vessel was boarded.

"Executing precise sea-air surveillance based on actionable intelligence, the Indian Coast Guard assets maintained unyielding tracking before initiating hot pursuit, neutralising the target, and boarding a suspicious Iranian dhow" on September 25, it said.

Dhow, crew and drugs brought to Mumbai

Following the interception, the dhow, its crew and the seized narcotics were escorted to Mumbai under armed security.

The Coast Guard said the apprehended crew and the seized contraband would be subjected to joint interrogation and further legal proceedings involving multiple agencies.

"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 ICG said.

The investigation is expected to examine the source of the drugs, their intended destination and the wider network allegedly involved in the maritime smuggling operation.

Gujarat ATS, Coast Guard target maritime drug networks

The latest seizure is part of continuing efforts by Indian maritime and law enforcement agencies to detect and disrupt suspected transnational narcotics networks using sea routes.

The Coast Guard has previously conducted joint operations with Gujarat ATS and other agencies to intercept vessels suspected of carrying illegal drugs.

In April 2025, the Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS seized 307.5 kg of narcotics off the Gujarat coast in a joint operation, according to the Coast Guard's official record of interdiction cases.

The Arabian Sea has remained a focus of several drug-interdiction operations, with agencies relying on intelligence inputs, vessel surveillance and coordination between maritime and land-based enforcement units to identify suspected consignments.

The Coast Guard said the latest operation demonstrates its continued focus on strengthening maritime surveillance and preventing illicit activities in India's maritime zones.

The agency also said the operation would contribute to efforts to disrupt the financial networks supporting illegal narcotics trafficking and prevent synthetic drugs from reaching the mainland.


Inputs from agencies