Massive Maritime Drug Seizure off Lakshadweep

On September 25 2026, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted the Iranian dhow Azad in the Arabian Sea, west of the Lakshadweep Islands, within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Five Pakistani nationals—Mohammad Yakub Balochi, Shakirullah, Faridullah, Ahmed Khan, and Wahidullah Khan—were arrested. The vessel and seized cargo were escorted under armed guard to Mumbai for joint interrogation and legal proceedings.

Rs 3,000 crore drugs seized from Iranian boat, five Pakistanis held ThePrintRs 3,000-crore drug bust in Arabian Sea: Gujarat ATS, Coast Guard seize 526kg heroin, meth; 5 Pakistanis held 5 Pakistanis, Iranian dhow and 526kg drugs: How Rs 3,000 crore haul was busted off Lakshadweep Gujarat ATS, Coast Guard seize drugs worth Rs 3,000 crore from Iran boat Iranian boat ‘Azad’ carrying 526 kg drugs had Pakistan-to-Tamil Nadu delivery plan Scroll.inThePrintHindustan TimesDeccan Chronicle

The operation stemmed from intelligence received on September 10 by Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Inspector J M Patel, indicating a planned narcotics shipment involving a Nigerian national and a long-wanted Gujarat suspect. Further inputs identified Haji Salim of Pakistan as the consignor. Gujarat ATS DIG Sunil Joshi confirmed that tracking began on September 14.

Gujarat ATS, Coast Guard seize drugs worth Rs 3,000 crore from Iran boat

• Heroin: ? 126 kg

Rs 3,000-crore drug bust in Arabian Sea: Gujarat ATS, Coast Guard seize 526kg heroin, meth; 5 Pakistanis held

• Methamphetamine: ? 400 kg (total ? 526 kg)

The Indian Express

• International market value: > INR3,000 crore (? US $360 million)

Gujarat ATS, Coast Guard seize drugs worth Rs 3,000 crore from Iran boat

• The ICG called the mission an “intelligence-led joint operation” with Gujarat ATS and central agencies, highlighting precise sea-air surveillance and a successful hot-pursuit.

New Indian Express

• The Ministry of Defence noted the interception occurred 160 nm northwest of Lakshadweep and 490 nm southwest of Mumbai, and said investigations will focus on the source, destination, and network.

Scroll.in

• “The consignment was sent by Haji Salim from Pakistan. Salim was earlier associated with a big consignment and had been named by various agencies in connection with several seizures.” — Sunil Joshi, DIG, Gujarat ATS

5 Pakistanis, Iranian dhow and 526kg drugs: How Rs 3,000 crore haul was busted off Lakshadweep

• “In the vast expanse of open sea, pinpointing the target vessel was a formidable challenge,” — Sunil Joshi, DIG, Gujarat ATS

5 Pakistanis, Iranian dhow and 526kg drugs: How Rs 3,000 crore haul was busted off Lakshadweep

• “Modi government is determined to shield its youth from the scourge of drugs,” — Amit Shah, Union Home Minister

New Indian Express

Investigators are probing the smuggling network, including hawala payments reported by ATS officials and a planned transfer to a Tamil Nadu-based vessel for further distribution. Preliminary questioning suggests the drugs were to be off-loaded along the Tamil Nadu coast and moved inland. The case has been registered by Gujarat ATS, and multi-agency teams will continue joint interrogation of the crew and forensic analysis of the seized substances.

5 Pakistanis, Iranian dhow and 526kg drugs: How Rs 3,000 crore haul was busted off Lakshadweep

All sourced outlets agree on the core facts: date of interception, quantity and type of drugs, the vessel’s Iranian flag, and the arrest of five Pakistani nationals. Details about the ultimate destination and the full roster of network participants remain under investigation.

Deccan Chronicle