30, 2026, security personnel detain five Pakistani nationals and seized 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin valued at more than Rs 3,000 crore from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea, after a joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) near Lakshadweep. (@IndiaCoastGuard/X via PTI Photo) (PTI09_30_2026_000013B) Drug bust **EDS: THIRD PARTY IMAGE** In this image posted on Sept.
Ahmedabad: Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Indian Coast Guard seized around 526kg of heroin and methamphetamine, valued at more than Rs 3,000 crore in the international market, after intercepting an Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea west of Lakshadweep, officials said.
Upholding a stellar example of coordination and cooperation among agencies, the 16-day-long operation also seized an Iranian boat.”
An advance payment for the consignment had been made through the hawala channel, while the remaining amount was to be paid after delivery, according to ATS. Sunil Joshi, DIG of Gujarat ATS, said, “The consignment was sent by Haji Salim from Pakistan. Intelligence indicated that a Nigerian national had recently met a wanted Gujarat-based man and they had planned to smuggle the drugs from Iran to India, Joshi said. “In the vast expanse of open sea, pinpointing the target vessel was a formidable challenge,” Joshi said. Sources said Gujarat ATS also had specific inputs about a meeting held between a Nigerian and some locals. Officials said they are also probing the meeting.
The drugs were allegedly to be unloaded along the Tamil Nadu coast and moved in smaller quantities through several vehicles before being delivered to a Nigerian national in Punjab. “However, the Coast Guard crew and our officers executed the operation successfully. Further investigation is under way and a case is being registered by ATS. Investigators are probing the international network behind the consignment, the intended recipients, and the hawala transactions linked to the deal. Amit Shah, Union home minister on X: “Narendra Modi govt is determined to shield its youth from the scourge of drugs. In a joint operation by Gujarat ATS, Indian Coast Guard and Central intelligence agencies, 526kg of methamphetamine and heroin has been seized from an Iranian boat in India. Five Pakistani nationals have been arrested, with further investigation under way to identify the wider network and its intended receivers.