Coast Guard, Gujarat ATS seize 526 kg drugs from suspected Iranian boat in Arabian Sea
Five Pakistani nationals were detained after the haul of heroin and methamphetamine, valued at over Rs 3,000 crore, was seized west of Lakshadweep.
The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have jointly foiled a major attempt to smuggle drugs by sea. The operation was carried out in the Arabian Sea, west of Lakshadweep.
About 526 kg of high-quality heroin and methamphetamine was seized from a suspected Iranian dhow. The consignment is estimated to be worth more than Rs 3,000 crore in the international market.
Acting on intelligence, the Coast Guard kept the suspected boat under watch by sea and air on September 25, 2026. The boat was then chased and intercepted. Coast Guard personnel boarded it and searched it, and are reported to have found a large quantity of heroin and methamphetamine.
Five Pakistani nationals on the Iranian boat were detained. The boat, its crew and the seized drugs have been brought to Mumbai under armed security. Several agencies will jointly question the crew for further investigation, and legal action will follow. The state ATS has also confirmed the arrest of the five Pakistani nationals.
The Coast Guard has carried out several earlier operations against drug smuggling by sea, including with the Gujarat ATS. According to the Coast Guard's official records, 307.50 kg of drugs worth about Rs 1,800 crore was seized in a joint operation near the Gujarat coast in April 2025.
The operation comes at a time when security agencies are stepping up efforts to stop international drug trafficking by sea routes. The Coast Guard said it reflects its surveillance capability, its strength in stopping drug smuggling by sea and its commitment to preventing illegal activity in Indian maritime waters.
According to the Coast Guard, the seizure will hit the financial network of international drug traffickers and help keep synthetic drugs out of the country. The Coast Guard said, "The seized boat, its crew and the seized drugs have been brought to Mumbai under armed security for joint questioning and legal action by several agencies." The operation was carried out with the cooperation of the Gujarat ATS.
