Image courtesy- @IndiaCoastGuard
On September 30, the Indian Coast Guard, in a joint intelligence-led operation with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (GATS) and central intelligence agencies, intercepted an Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea, west of Lakshadweep, and seized 526 kg of high-grade heroin and methamphetamine worth around Rs 3,000 crore, while detaining five Pakistani nationals on board.
The seized drugs were packed in gunny bundles. It is assumed that the drug trafficking was intended to fund terrorist activities. Pakistan is said to be the source of the drugs. The Coast Guard has not disclosed the destination of the drugs. Authorities stated that the seizure was a crucial achievement in operations for coastal protection and the fight against smuggling for terrorist funding.
The Coast Guard informed that the Pakistani citizens were taken to Mumbai for further interrogation. It stated that the mission was aimed at coastal protection and strengthening the Bharat Government’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ project. The Abhiyaan was launched on August 15, 2020, by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (NMBA). It aims to stop the consumption of drugs in the country and thereby create a healthy and drug-free young society.
It is almost certain that terrorists are behind this drug trafficking. In April 2021, five AK-47 guns, 1,000 cartridges and drugs were reportedly seized from a boat near Lakshadweep. During the operation, Sri Lankan citizen Sureshraj was arrested. He had given a statement to the NIA about drug and arms trafficking through the seas.
Central agencies had found that drugs were smuggled from Pakistan through Iranian ports. The materials are transferred from ships to boats and brought to the mainland for sale through fishing boats. The NIA has found that Pakistani terrorist outfits are behind this.
In May 2023, a massive drug bust was reported from Kochi. It was again from a boat in the Arabian Sea off Kochi. It was a high-seas joint operation named ‘Operation Samudragupt’ by the Bharatiya Navy and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Prima facie, the drugs were estimated to be worth Rs 2,500 crore. Further examination showed their international market value as approximately Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 25,000 crore. The drugs originated from the Makran Coast of the Pakistan-Iran region. The sacks carried distinct Pakistani inscriptions and brand seals. A Pakistani citizen was arrested from the vessel. The authorities believed that the materials belonged to a major cross-border drug syndicate headed by Pakistan-based kingpin Haji Salim.
The aforementioned reports underline the fact that drug trafficking is a deadly Pakistan-backed design. It is not only aimed at ruining and destroying the youth but also at funding terrorist activities. Pakistan is the nerve centre of this onslaught against humanity.
