In a well-coordinated operation, the Indian Navy, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and Gujarat Police intercepted a suspicious vessel off the Gujarat coast on Friday, leading to the seizure of approximately 700 kilograms of methamphetamine. It marks the Navy’s second major anti-narcotics operation at sea this year, as confirmed by a Navy Spokesperson.
#IndianNavy in a coordinated operation with @narcoticsbureau & Gujarat Police intercepted a suspicious boat leading to seizure of approx 700 kg of meth in Gujarat.
This is the second major successful coordinated Anti Narcotics Operations at sea by the Navy this year.
Committed… pic.twitter.com/LcBEOkpJy7
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) November 15, 2024
The operation, which commenced late Thursday night, dismantled an international drug trafficking network. The Iranian boat carrying the contraband was intercepted, and eight foreign nationals claiming Iranian nationality were taken into custody, the NCB stated.
The NCB revealed that the operation, codenamed “Sagar Manthan – 4,” was launched based on precise intelligence inputs. The Indian Navy deployed its maritime patrol assets to identify and interdict the boat. Further investigations are underway to uncover the broader network of the drug syndicate, with assistance being sought from international Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEA).
Today’s operation marks a significant stride towards a drug-free Bharat! With the combined efforts of NCB, the Indian Navy, and Gujarat Police, we’ve successfully dismantled an international drug trafficking cartel and seized around 700 kg of meth. Together, we stand stronger in… pic.twitter.com/0kssjMByA7
— NCB INDIA (@narcoticsbureau) November 15, 2024
The NCB explained that Operation Sagar Manthan, initiated earlier this year, is a multi-agency effort involving the NCB’s Operations Branch, the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and the Gujarat Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The initiative aims to counter the growing threat to national security posed by maritime drug trafficking. A series of similar operations have been conducted under this initiative.
Earlier this year, on February 27, a joint operation by the Indian Navy and NCB resulted in the seizure of approximately 3,300 kilograms of drugs from a ship near Gujarat’s Porbandar. It was the largest drug haul in recent times, showcasing the effectiveness of coordinated maritime security efforts. These operations underscore the Indian Navy’s commitment to safeguarding national security and maintaining vigilance against maritime threats, particularly those linked to illicit drug trafficking, the Indian Navy said in its statement.
Team BharatShakti
