3,089 kg of charas seized off Gujarat in record offshore operation
The Indian Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau seized 3,089 kg of charas (hashish) from a dhow intercepted about 60 nautical miles off the Gujarat coast on 27 February 2024, arresting five foreign nationals. The 3,300 kg haul, which also held methamphetamine and suspected morphine, was the largest offshore narcotics seizure of its kind.
🇮🇳 Arabian Sea, about 60 nautical miles off the Gujarat coast near Porbandar, along the International Maritime Boundary Line · India
The Indian Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) intercepted a suspicious dhow heading for Indian waters after intelligence from naval maritime-surveillance aircraft corroborated by NCB inputs.[1][2]A mission-deployed warship located, tracked and boarded the vessel at sea about 60 nautical miles off the coast along the International Maritime Boundary Line on the morning of 27 February 2024.[1][2]The boarding party recovered almost 3,300 kg of contraband: 3,089 kg of charas (hashish), 158 kg of methamphetamine and 25 kg of morphine, in packets stamped “Ras Awad Goods Co, produce of Pakistan”.[1]News reports quoting the NCB put the split at 3,110 kg of charas with 158.3 kg of methamphetamine and 24.6 kg of suspected heroin.[2][3]
Five foreign nationals aboard were arrested, and the warship towed the dhow to Porbandar, the nearest Indian port, where the crew and contraband were handed to law enforcement agencies.[2][3]The NCB chief called it the highest-ever offshore seizure and said the consignment, worth an estimated Rs 1,300–2,000 crore on the international market, had sailed from an Iranian port.[2]The Navy said the smuggling route emanates from the Makran coast toward Indian Ocean countries, and the mission showed the two agencies’ joint resolve against sea-borne smuggling.[1]
Photos and video
Seized packages as shown in the official release on the operation.Photo details
The official release gives 3,089 kg of charas, 158 kg of methamphetamine and 25 kg of morphine, while news reports quoting the NCB give 3,110 kg, 158.3 kg and 24.6 kg of suspected heroin; the report uses the official release.
The nationalities of the five arrested crew members were not published in the opened sources.
No charge, trial or court outcome for the arrested crew was reported.
The exact interception point beyond 60 nautical miles offshore along the boundary line was not published.
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