Major Drug Bust off Gujarat Coast as Navy Seizes 3,300 kg of Meth and Charas

Major Drug Bust off Gujarat Coast as Navy Seizes 3,300 kg of Meth and Charas

On Tuesday, the Indian Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) worked together and took about 3,300 kg of drugs from a ship near Porbandar in Gujarat. The Navy mentioned that this is the biggest drug seizure in recent times.

The Navy stopped a little ship and found more than 3,089 kg of charas, 158 kg of methamphetamine, and 25 kg of morphine, valued at ₹1,300 crore. All five crew members of the ship, who are from Pakistan, have been taken into custody.

#IndianNavy in a coordinated ops with Narcotics Control Bureau, apprehended a suspicious dhow carrying almost 3300Kgs contraband (3089 Kgs Charas, 158 Kgs Methamphetamine 25 Kgs Morphine).
The largest seizure of narcotics, in quantity in recent times.@narcoticsbureau pic.twitter.com/RPvzI1fdLW

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) February 28, 2024

All five people, who are from another country, got arrested after the operation at a port in Porbandar. 

On February 27, the captured boat, its crew, and the illegal goods were given to law enforcement agencies.

The Indian Navy reported that they noticed a suspicious sailing vessel at sea near Porbandar with the help of a surveillance aircraft. Following this, a ship was redirected to stop the vessel, which was thought to be involved in smuggling drugs.

The significant drug seizure happened a week after authorities confiscated a substantial amount of mephedrone, commonly known as 'Meow Meow,' totaling 1,100 kilograms. The raids took place over two days in Pune and New Delhi, with the seized substance valued at ₹2,500 crore.

The Navy explained that they redirected an IN mission-deployed ship to intercept a suspicious dhow involved in smuggling contraband based on information from the P8I LRMR aircraft during a surveillance mission.

In reaction to the operation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah commended the law enforcement agencies for following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of a "drug-free Bharat."

Pursuing PM @narendramodi Ji's vision of a drug-free Bharat our agencies today achieved the grand success of making the biggest offshore seizure of drugs in the nation. In a joint operation carried out by the NCB, the Navy, and the Gujarat Police, a gigantic consignment of 3132…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 28, 2024

In a post on X, he said, "This historic success proves our government's strong dedication to making our country free from drugs. On this occasion, I congratulate the NCB, the Navy, and the Gujarat Police."