The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Gujarat in a joint operation has apprehended an Iranian boat in Indian waters and recovered 61 kgs of heroin worth Rs 425 crores. The boat had a crew of five.
Giving details of the seizure, the Coast Guard said here on Tuesday, the ICG, based on an intelligence input by the ATS Gujarat, caught the boat on Monday.
On a specific intelligence input by ATS, ICG strategically deployed its two Fast Patrol class of ships, ICGS Meera Behn and ICGS Abheek for patrolling in Arabian Sea. During dark hours, a boat was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters approx. 340 Kms (190 miles) off Okha coast.
On being challenged by ICG Ships, the boat started evasive manoeuvring. The boat was then chased and forced to stop by ICG ships. The boat was found to be an Iranian boat with five crew of Iranian nationality.
During investigation by ICG boarding team, the crew was found to be behaving suspiciously. After extensive rummaging, approximately 61 Kgs of narcotics worth Rs 425 crores was found in the boat.
The boat along with crew has been apprehended and is being brought to Okha for further investigation.
In last eighteen months, ICG in coordination with ATS has apprehended eight foreign vessels and seized 407 Kgs narcotics worth Rs. 2355.00 Crores.