Indian Coast Guard apprehend Pakistani boat with 30 kg of heroin off Jakhau in Gujarat

New Delhi, April 15, 2021

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) apprehended a Pakistani boat "Nuh" off Jakhau in Gujarat with 30 kgs of heroin in a joint intelligence-based operation with the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Gujarat.

Eight Pakistani nationals were also arrested from the boat, an official press release said here today.

The release said that an input was received on April 13 regarding suspected narcotics trafficking by a Pakistani boat off the India-Pakistan notional international maritime boundary line (IMBL).

"Upon receiving the input, a coordinated operation was jointly launched by ICG and ATS Gujarat.

"The fast interceptor boat of ICG with ATS officials was deployed to intercept the suspected Pak boat. On the midnight of April 14-15, 2021, the suspected Pak boat was sighted inside Indian waters and intercepted by ICG. On boarding and rummaging, about 30 packets of heroin weighing approximately one kg each were recovered from the boat. The value of seized narcotics in international market is estimated to be around Rs 300 crore. Preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment being smuggled was destined for landing on Gujarat shore. The boat along with eight Pakistani crew is being escorted to Jakhau for further search and joint investigation," the release said.

On March 18, the ICG had apprehended SLB Ravihansi with about 300 kgs of heroin, five AK-47 rifles and 1,000 rounds of ammunition off Lakshadweep Island, which was suspected to have originated from Makran coast. Prior to this, ICG had successfully apprehended SLB Akarsha Duwa which admitted of carrying 200 kg of high-grade heroin and 60 kg hashish and jettisoning it at sea on sighting of ICG ships on patrol, the release said.

In the past one year, ICG has seized more than 1.6 tons of narcotics worth approximately Rs 5,200 crore, the release added.

NNN