In the past two years anti-national elements involved in narcotics smuggling are trying to infiltrate narcotic drug (Heroin) through Indian coast. The Indian Coast Guard(ICG) received credible information from intelligence agencies regarding an illegal consignment of narcotic drugs (Heroin) going to be smuggled in India through sea route, a couple of weeks ago. The information further revealed that the consignment is being transhipped through a Sri Lankan boat. Indian Coast Guard deployed five ships for the operation to apprehend the smugglers and seized the contraband.
ICG ships carried out extensive search for the suspected boat in the most probable area as per the intelligence input. Two ICG aircraft were also continuously deployed to augmentsea-air coordinated search. Post extensive well planned search in the area, extending since 17 November, suspicious Sri Lankan boat was identified south of Thoothukudi on 24 November 2020. ICGS Vaibhav stealthily followed the boat, and carried out boarding at the opportune moment at about 10 Nautical Miles off the coast of Kanyakumari in the evening of 24 Nov. Search of the suspicious boat revealed 99 packets of heroin, 20 boxes of synthetic drugs, five 9 mm pistols and a Thuraya satellite phone set.
The drugs and weapons were unearthed since hidden in an unapproachable location in the boat. During initial questioning, the crew members revealed that the drugs were transferred onto Sri Lankan vessel ‘Shenaya Duwa’ on the high seas by a Pakistani dhow from Karachi. The drugs meant to be sent to western countries and Australia. The joint interrogation of the apprehended six crew members will be undertaken on vessel reaching Tuticorin. The Indian Coast Guard again proves its commitment to thwart any attempt to smuggle contraband, drug and weapon into our country.