ICG seizes Pakistan boat with 194 packets of narcotics off Gujarat coast

The Indian Coast Guard intercepted and apprehended a Pakistani boat with six crew onboard off Jakhau in Gujarat in the wee hours of Tuesday. On rummaging, 194 packets of suspected narcotics substance were recovered.

An official statement said that the interception was done based on specific information from DRI and other intelligence agencies. 

The boat, named Al-Madina, was registered at Karachi.

The seized substance will be verified after chemical analysis. Various aspects related to the boat will also be looked into during a joint investigation along with other agencies, the statement said.

Around 7 pm on Monday, ICG received intelligence inputs that a Pakistani fishing boat is waiting near the International Maritime Boundary line to deliver narcotics off Jhakau coast. The coast guard ship, Arinjay, which was patrolling the area, was diverted to intercept the boat, albeit maintaining the secrecy. Two fast interceptor boats—C-437 and C-408—were also deployed in the operation.

After maintaining clandestine presence in the area, the ICG intercepted the boat in the wee hours of Tuesday. 

The operation was carried out even as the sea condition was rough. The boat's crew threw the bags in the sea. The ICG, however, managed to retrieve seven bags. Preliminary investigation, done with the help of drug detection kit, revealed the seized substance to be narcotics. 

The approximate cost of narcotics seized is about Rs 400 to Rs 500 crore. This will depend on the purity of the narcotics that is to be tested later. 

The statement said that the Pakistani boat will be taken either to Jakhau or CG station for further interrogation of the crew and rummaging by all other law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

In March this year, 100 kg of heroine was seized in a joint operation by the ICG and ATS, Ahmedabad.