Indian Coast Guard & Gujarat ATS seize 40 kg drugs from Pakistani boat, arrest 10 crew

During the early hours of Monday, the Pakistani fishing boat Al Soheli was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters

PGurus Newsdesk

December 26, 2022

During the early hours of Monday, the Pakistani fishing boat Al Soheli was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters

After an extensive search of the boat arms, ammunition, & approx 40 kg of narcotics valued around Rs.300 cr were found concealed

The Indian Coast Guard and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), in a joint operation early on Monday, apprehended a Pakistani boat with 10 crew members from Indian waters and found 40 kg of narcotics on board, an official statement said.

In the last 18 months in Gujarat, this is the 7th joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard and ATS, and the first wherein arms and ammunitions were being infiltrated, along with the drugs.

“During the intervening night of December 25/26, on a specific intelligence input, ICG strategically deployed its Fast Patrol class ship ICGS Arinjay for patrolling in the area close to the notional International Maritime Border Line (IMBL). During the early hours of Monday, the Pakistani fishing boat Al Soheli was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters. On being challenged by the ICG ship, the Pakistani boat started evasive maneuvering and did not stop even on the firing of warning shots. ICG ship in pitch darkness maneuvered and stopped the boat,” a Coast Guard statement said.

It said that after an extensive search of the boat, some arms, ammunition, and approx 40 kg of narcotics, valued at about Rs.300 crore, were found concealed. The boat, along with its crew, has been apprehended and is being brought to Okha for further investigation.

During the last 18 months, a total of 346 kg of heroin, valued at Rs.1,930 crore has already been seized along with the apprehension of 44 Pakistani and 7 Iranian crew members.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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