Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on the basis of intelligence input by ATS Gujarat jointly apprehended a Pakistani Boat with 06 crew in Indian waters carrying approximately 40 kgs of Heroine worth Rs. 200 crore.
During night of 13/14 Setember 2022, on a specific intelligence input, ICG strategically deployed two fast interceptor class of ships, C-408 and C-454 for patrolling in area close to notional International Maritime Border Line (IMBL). During midnight, a Pakistani Boat was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters, 5 nm inside notional IMBL and 40 nm from Jakhau.
On being challenged, the Pakistani boat over boarded a consignment and started evasive maneuvering. The consignment was skillfully recovered by one of the two ICG ships and found to be a drug consignment. On visual examination, drug is believed to be Heroin with quantity approx. 40 Kgs and market value of Rs.200 crores. The other ICG ship, braving very rough seas in pitch dark night and marginal weather conditions maneuvered and stopped the boat.
The boat is being brought to Jakhau for further joint investigation by all agencies. This is the fifth such joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard and ATS, Gujarat in last one year and has further highlighted the importance of effective coordination amongst stakeholders for robust coastal security network.