The Indian Coast Guard, in a joint operation with Gujarat Anti-Terrorism squad, apprehended a Pakistani boat with 6 crew members close to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) Saturday, reported news agency ANI. The coast guard team also recovered 50 kg of heroin worth Rs 350 crores in the international market.
The boat is being brought to Jakhau in Kutch district for further investigation.
"Indian Coast Guard, in joint ops with ATS Gujarat, apprehended a Pakistani boat Al Sakar with 6 crew members & 50 kg of heroin worth Rs 350 crores market value in the early hrs of today, Oct 8,close to International Maritime Boundary Line(IMBL)," said Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officials, according to ANI
This is second such incident in the state in less than a month. Earlier, on 14 September, 40 kg of heroin worth approximately Rs 200 Crores was apprehended from a Pakistani boat, said ICG officials, according to ANI.
According to ICG, the joint operation was carried out during the intervening night of October 7 and 8, when a Pakistani boat was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters, five nautical miles inside notional International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and 40 nautical miles from Jakhau, reported PTI.
"On being challenged, the Pakistani boat started evasive manoeuvring. Two fast interceptor class of ships - C-429 and C-454 - deployed by the ICG for patrolling in areas close to the IMBL, intercepted the Pakistani boat and forced it to stop," it said.
After the boat was apprehended with 6 people on it, 50 kg of narcotic was found concealed in five gunny bags.