In a significant action against international drug trafficking, Indian authorities have seized approximately 700 kg of methamphetamine from a foreign drug cartel operating off the Gujarat coast. The seizure was part of a joint operation led by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the Indian Navy, and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Gujarat Police, who successfully interdicted a vessel in India’s territorial waters on November 15.
The operation, codenamed “SAGAR-MANTHAN – 4,” followed continuous intelligence gathering and analysis, which led to a reliable tip-off that an unregistered vessel carrying narcotics would enter Indian waters, news agency ANI reported. Once identified, the Indian Navy mobilised its maritime patrol assets to intercept the vessel, which was found to be carrying a large consignment of methamphetamine. Eight foreign nationals aboard the vessel, who did not possess any identification documents, have claimed that they are Iranian nationals, as per ANI.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the agencies involved, lauding their exceptional coordination and dedication to making India safer. “Pursuing PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision for a drug-free Bharat, our agencies today busted an international drug trafficking cartel and seized over approx. 700 kg of contraband meth in Gujarat. The joint operation carried out by the NCB, Indian Navy, and Gujarat Police stands out as a stellar example of our commitment to the vision as well as the seamless coordination among our agencies in achieving the same. My heartiest congratulations to the agencies on this landmark breakthrough,” Shah posted on X.
Pursuing PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision for a drug-free Bharat, our agencies today busted an international drug trafficking cartel and seized over approx. 700 kg of contraband meth in Gujarat. The joint operation carried out by the NCB, Indian Navy, and Gujarat Police stands…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 15, 2024
NCB India posted, “Today’s operation marks a significant stride towards a drug-free Bharat! With the combined efforts of NCB, the Indian Navy, and Gujarat Police, we’ve successfully dismantled an international drug trafficking cartel and seized around 700 kg of meth. Together, we stand stronger in our mission.”
Today’s operation marks a significant stride towards a drug-free Bharat! With the combined efforts of NCB, the Indian Navy, and Gujarat Police, we’ve successfully dismantled an international drug trafficking cartel and seized around 700 kg of meth. Together, we stand stronger in… pic.twitter.com/0kssjMByA7
— NCB INDIA (@narcoticsbureau) November 15, 2024
Navy said, “This is the second major successful coordinated Anti Narcotics Operations at sea by the Navy this year.”
#IndianNavy in a coordinated operation with @narcoticsbureau & Gujarat Police intercepted a suspicious boat leading to seizure of approx 700 kg of meth in Gujarat.
This is the second major successful coordinated Anti Narcotics Operations at sea by the Navy this year.Committed… pic.twitter.com/LcBEOkpJy7
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) November 15, 2024
Operation ‘SAGAR-MANTHAN’
Operation “SAGAR-MANTHAN” was launched earlier this year by the NCB, involving a dedicated team of officers from the NCB Headquarters, the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and the ATS of Gujarat Police. The aim of the operation is to counter the growing threat to national security posed by the maritime trafficking of illicit drugs. Since its inception, the operation has led to the seizure of over 3,400 kg of various narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. In previous cases, 11 Iranian nationals and 14 Pakistani nationals have been arrested, all of whom are currently in jail awaiting trial.
