Story perspectives

Indian Coast Guard seizes Rs 3,000 crore drugs at sea

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 4:09 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Indian Coast Guard Seizes

The Indian Coast Guard seized 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine worth over Rs 3,000 crore.
The interception occurred on September 25 2026 west of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.
Five Pakistani nationals aboard the Iranian dhow were arrested during the hot-pursuit boarding.
The seized drugs, crew and vessel were escorted under armed guard to Mumbai for interrogation.
Officials said the haul targets a transnational narco-smuggling network and will aid ongoing investigations.

Summary

CIA Assists Interception

Gujarat ATS Inspector J M Patel received intelligence on September 10 about a Nigerian-linked drug shipment.
Wanted smuggler Haji Salim coordinated loading the cargo onto the Iranian dhow Azad.
The vessel’s captain used a Starlink satellite device to communicate, trying to evade telecom monitoring.
The CIA joined Indian agencies in the intelligence-led joint operation to intercept the consignment.

History

Historical Context

The 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs, which entered into force on 11 November 1990 and now counts 191 parties, was created to criminalize transnational drug smuggling. Building on that framework, the Indian Coast Guard’s 2026 seizure of 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine from an Iranian-flagged dhow, aided by CIA intelligence, illustrates the treaty’s push for multinational cooperation.

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Indian Coast Guard Seizes

The Indian Coast Guard seized 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine worth over Rs 3,000 crore.
The interception occurred on September 25 2026 west of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.
Five Pakistani nationals aboard the Iranian dhow were arrested during the hot-pursuit boarding.
The seized drugs, crew and vessel were escorted under armed guard to Mumbai for interrogation.
Officials said the haul targets a transnational narco-smuggling network and will aid ongoing investigations.

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