Story perspectives

India Coast Guard seizes 526 kg drugs from Iranian dhow

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 5:57 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

India’s Coast Guard seized 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine worth over Rs 3,000 crore from an Iranian dhow.
The seizure occurred on September 25 2026 west of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.
Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were detained during the operation.
The raid was conducted jointly with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad.
The dhow, crew and seized drugs were escorted under armed guard to Mumbai for interrogation.

History

Historical Context

The Indian Coast Guard, created in February 1977 after the 1975 Rustamji Committee recommendation, was tasked with curbing sea-borne smuggling that threatened India’s economy in the 1960s. Its first major drug success came in 2005 when it seized 1.5 tonnes of heroin off Gujarat, and on 25 September 2026 it intercepted 526 kg of heroin and meth from an Iranian dhow near Lakshadweep, highlighting the Guard’s expanding maritime enforcement.

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Story summary

India’s Coast Guard seized 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine worth over Rs 3,000 crore from an Iranian dhow.
The seizure occurred on September 25 2026 west of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.
Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were detained during the operation.
The raid was conducted jointly with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad.
The dhow, crew and seized drugs were escorted under armed guard to Mumbai for interrogation.

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