Mumbai, May 27: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in collaboration with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), has achieved a significant victory in combating drug trafficking via maritime routes. On the night of May 25-26, both agencies conducted a joint operation near the Mundra coast based on intelligence reports. They successfully seized 115 kilograms of cocaine, as confirmed by officials on Wednesday.
Acting on crucial information from the Gujarat ATS, the ICG deployed interceptor boats to conduct a large-scale search operation in the Mundra anchorage area, with ATS personnel onboard. During the operation, suspicious activities were observed on the MV Europe, a container ship anchored about five nautical miles from Mundra. Bags were seen being thrown overboard into the sea.
The joint team of the ICG and Gujarat ATS acted swiftly, demonstrating excellent coordination between the two agencies. Despite challenging conditions and limited visibility at night, they successfully recovered five bags from the sea.
Upon inspection, the bags contained packets of a white powder, which was later confirmed to be cocaine. In total, 115 packets were seized, each weighing approximately one kilogram, bringing the total weight of the narcotic to around 115 kilograms.
According to estimates from open sources, the seized drugs have an estimated international market value of approximately ₹1,150 crores. The ship has since been brought to the port for further investigation. Authorities have indicated that a joint inquiry by the ICG, ATS Gujarat, and other relevant agencies is ongoing.
This successful operation once again highlights the strong collaboration and operational coordination between the ICG and ATS Gujarat. Notably, this marks the fifteenth successful joint operation conducted by these agencies in the past five years, reaffirming their unwavering commitment to strengthening maritime security and achieving a drug-free India.
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