Yet another Rs 2,000 cr narcotics seizure off Gujarat coast

In yet another big narcotics seizure off the Gujarat coast, a joint operation by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Indian Navy between Friday night and Saturday seized more than 760 kg of drugs estimated at Rs 2,000 crore in the international market.

The seizure comprises 529 kg of “very high-quality hashish, 234 kg of finest quality of crystal methamphetamine” and some quantity of heroin, according to an official.

“This is the first such operation in which the apprehension has been made in high seas. The input regarding trafficking of drugs in high seas was developed by NCB and was shared with Naval Intelligence Unit, leading to a joint operation," a press statement by the NCB stated.

While the officials chose not to disclose the exact location from where the vessels carrying the drugs were intercepted for “security reasons”, the seizure was made from the country's western coast and the consignment, packed in multiple bags, was brought to the Porbandar coast in Gujarat.

“The present seizure has dealt a telling blow to drug syndicates based out of our neighbouring country and using the maritime route for the proliferation of drugs in India and other countries," the NCB statement said.