English
Gazi Abbas Shahid
Starting as a ground reporter back in his home UT of Jammu and Kashmir, Gazi has been a part of the news industry for well over a decade. While he finds every type of news engrossing, politics, partic ... Read More
In another major drug haul, a joint team of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), seized a whopping 173 kg of ‘Hashish‘ from an Indian fishing boat off the Gujarat coast and arrested two crew members aboard the vessel. Notably, the massive drug seizure comes a day after heroin valued at Rs 600 crore was seized from a Pakistani fishing boat near Porbandar, along with 14 Pakistani nationals onboard.
As per an official release by the India Coast Guard in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, a joint operation by the ICG and the Gujarat ATS, led to the seizure of an Indian fishing boat in the high seas on Sunday afternoon, adding that a total of 173 kgs of Hashish (extracted from cannabis) was seized from the vessel and two Indian citizens have been arrested.
“Based on specific and credible intelligence inputs from the ATS, the ICG strategically deployed its ships and aircraft, ensuring that the boat does not evade the sea-air coordinated surveillance,” the release said.
It said the boat was intercepted after proper identification, and investigations confirmed that the two accused persons were involved in smuggling around 173 kg of drugs.
“This operation is the ICG’s 12th apprehension in the last three years and a testimony of coordination and success of joint efforts of ICG and ATS Gujarat for appropriate response to drug trafficking through seas,” it said.
Notably, the drug bust comes a day after around 86 kilos of narcotics worth a whopping Rs 602 crore, were seized from 14 Pakistani citizens off the Gujarat coast.
According to officials, the ATS, ICG, and the NCB had launched a joint operation following intelligence inputs, adding that the Pakistani nationals tried to escape the spot and even tried to run over ATS officers with their boat who opened retaliatory fire and arrested the suspects.
Around 86 KG contraband drugs worth Rs 602 crore were seized from the possession of the Pakistani nationals, they said, adding that the operation was being carried out by the agencies based on intelligence inputs for the last few days.
In an official release, the Indian Coast Guard said the “breathtaking” overnight operation was carried out on April 28.
(With inputs from agencies)
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Gujarat News on India.com.