Around 300 kg of drugs worth ₹1,800 crore were seized near the Gujarat coast in a joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Gujarat ATS during the night of April 12 and 13.
When the smugglers saw the ICG ship approaching, they dumped the narcotics into the sea and fled across the International Maritime Boundary Line.
On April 10, the Indian Coast Guard apprehended an Indian fishing boat allegedly engaged in illegal activities in the Bay of Bengal.
ICG Ship Varad, while patrolling the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), identified a fishing boat displaying suspicious movements and promptly initiated boarding procedures.
Officials discovered the vessel was transporting around 450 bags of betelnut, each weighing between 50 to 60 kilograms. The estimated market value of the seized consignment stands at nearly Rs 1 crore, an official statement said.
The boat, registered at Kakdwip fishing harbour in West Bengal, was found operating without valid registration papers. Additionally, none of the 14 Indian crew members onboard owned biometric identity cards.
No fishing equipment or fish catch was found on the vessel, despite claims by the crew of being at sea for five days. The absence of standard fishing paraphernalia and the presence of high-value contraband suggested unlawful maritime activity.
The Indian Coast Guard detained the crew and their vessel, and brought them to Paradip Port for a joint investigation with law enforcement and maritime agencies. Legal action has been started under relevant smuggling and maritime laws.