Indian Coast Guard seizes drugs haul worth ₹3,000 crore from Iranian vessel

India's Coast Guard has intercepted an Iranian-flagged boat carrying narcotics valued at approximately ₹3,000 crore in an operation that underscores persistent drug trafficking threats in regional waters. The vessel and its Pakistani crew were apprehended during a coordinated patrol operation in the Arabian Sea, leading to one of the significant drug seizures in recent months.

Authorities recovered 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine from the boat, officials said. The contraband represents a substantial quantity of synthetic and plant-based narcotics destined for illicit distribution networks, likely spanning multiple countries across South and Southeast Asia.

The interception highlights the ongoing vulnerability of maritime routes to smuggling operations and the critical role of coast guard operations in interdicting contraband at sea. The Iranian vessel and Pakistani crew are now in custody pending investigation and legal proceedings.

Officials indicated the operation forms part of broader efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating from the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Intelligence agencies are examining the vessel's origins, intended destinations, and the broader supply chain connections, which could provide insights into international smuggling syndicates.