AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Indian Coast Guards (ICG) seized 61 kgs of heroin worth Rs 425 crore off the Gujarat coast and apprehended five Iranian nationals.
"Indian Coast Guard (ICG), based on an intelligence input by ATS Gujarat, has apprehended an Iranian Boat with 05 crew in Indian waters carrying 61 kgs of Heroin worth Rs 425 crores," said an official statement by the ICG.
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 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 were found to be behaving suspiciously.
After extensive rummaging, 61 kgs of narcotics worth Rs 425 crores was found in the boat. The boat alongwith 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 2,355.00 crore.
