Around 300 kg narcotics worth Rs 1800 crore has been seized near the Gujarat coast. The seizure was made by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in a joint operation with Gujarat ATS on the night of April 12 and 13.
On spotting the ICG ship, smugglers dumped the contraband and fled across the International Maritime Boundary Line.
On April 10, the Indian Coast Guard apprehended an Indian fishing boat allegedly engaged in illegal activities in the Bay of Bengal.
ICG Ship Varad, while patrolling the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), identified a fishing boat displaying suspicious movements and promptly initiated boarding procedures.
Officials discovered the vessel was transporting around 450 bags of betelnut, each weighing between 50 to 60 kilograms. The estimated market value of the seized consignment stands at nearly Rs 1 crore, an official statement said.
The boat, registered at Kakdwip fishing harbour in West Bengal, was found operating without valid registration papers. Additionally, none of the 14 Indian crew members onboard owned biometric identity cards.
No fishing equipment or fish catch was found on the vessel, despite claims by the crew of being at sea for five days. The absence of standard fishing paraphernalia and the presence of high-value contraband suggested unlawful maritime activity.
The Indian Coast Guard took the crew and vessel into custody and escorted them to Paradip Port for a joint investigation with relevant law enforcement and maritime authorities. Legal proceedings have been initiated in accordance with applicable maritime and smuggling laws.