Pakistani boat seized off Gujarat Coast with 40 kg drugs, Weapons and crew of 10

Gandhinagar: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on the basis of intelligence input by ATS Gujarat apprehended a Pakistani Boat with 10 crew in Indian waters carrying arms, ammunition and approx. 40 kgs of Narcotics worth Rs. 300 crores.

During intervening night of 25/26 December 2022, on a specific intelligence input, ICG strategically deployed its Fast Patrol class of ship ICGS Arinjay for patrolling in area close to notional International Maritime Border Line (IMBL). During early hours of Monday on 26 December 2022, a Pakistani Fishing Boat Al Soheli was observed moving suspiciously in Indian waters. On being challenged by ICG Ship, the Pakistani boat started evasive maneuvering and did not stop even on firing of warning shots. ICG ship in pitch darkness maneuvered and stopped the boat.

The ICG team in challenging conditions, then, boarded the Pakistani Boat. During investigation, the crew were found to be behaving suspiciously. After extensive rummaging of the boat, the arms, ammunition and approx. 40 Kgs of narcotics worth Rs 300 crores were found concealed. The boat along with crew has been apprehended and is being brought to Okha for further investigation.

This is the seventh joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard and ATS, Gujarat in last 18 months and first apprehension wherein arms and ammunitions along with drugs were being infiltrated. During mentioned period, a total 346 kgs of heroine worth Rs 1930 Crores has already been seized along with apprehension of 44 Pakistani and 07 Iranian crew. DeshGujarat

Image