Story perspectives

Gujarat ATS seizes 526kg meth, heroin from Iranian dhow

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 10:44 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

India Seizes Mega Drugs

Indian authorities seized 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin worth Rs 3,000 crore from the Iranian dhow Azad on 25 September 2026.
The Gujarat ATS and Indian Coast Guard led a 16-day joint operation, with CIA assistance.
Five nationals—Mohammad Yakub Balochi, Shakirullah, Faridullah, Ahmed Khan and Wahidullah Khan—were arrested.
The drugs were to be off-loaded in Tamil Nadu, divided, and delivered to a Nigerian national in Punjab.

Summary

Coast Guard Busts

Coast Guard seized 526 kg of narcotics, its fourth major drug seizure in 2026.
India foiled 26 smuggling attempts and seized over 8,500 kg of drugs worth INR46,543 crore in five years.
Gujarat police say agencies have confiscated 87,607 kg of drugs valued at INR16,155 crore and arrested more than 2,500 suspects since 2021.
Home Minister Amit Shah announced a INR51,202 reward for 64 informants who aided recent drug-smuggling investigations.

History

Historical Context

The United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, adopted in 1988 and effective from 11 November 1990, responded to the 1970s-80s surge in global drug demand and organized-crime trafficking. Its provisions for mutual legal assistance, asset confiscation and extradition have been used by signatories such as India’s Coast Guard, one of 191 parties, to interdict shipments, illustrating the treaty’s continuing impact.

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India Seizes Mega Drugs

Indian authorities seized 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin worth Rs 3,000 crore from the Iranian dhow Azad on 25 September 2026.
The Gujarat ATS and Indian Coast Guard led a 16-day joint operation, with CIA assistance.
Five nationals—Mohammad Yakub Balochi, Shakirullah, Faridullah, Ahmed Khan and Wahidullah Khan—were arrested.
The drugs were to be off-loaded in Tamil Nadu, divided, and delivered to a Nigerian national in Punjab.

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