NCB, Indian Navy seize 700kg Meth in Indian terroritorial waters
The seizure was a part of Operation “SAGAR-MANTHAN” targeting maritime trafficking of drugs
New Delhi, November 16
In a joint operation the Narcotics Control Bureau, Indian Navy, and Gujarat ATS seized a huge haul of 700 kg of Meth in Indian Territorial Waters. Eight foreign nationals were arrested who claim to be Iranians.
The seizure was a part of Operation “SAGAR-MANTHAN” targeting maritime trafficking of drugs
The officials added that continuous intelligence collection and analysis resulted in generating a reliable input that an un-registered vessel, which does not have any AIS installed on it will be entering in Indian waters with Narcotic drugs/ Psychotropic substances.
Operation codenamed “SAGAR-MANTHAN - 4” was launched on this intelligence input and the vessel was identified & interdicted by Indian Navy by mobilising its mission-deployed maritime patrol assets resulting in the above said seizure.
The investigation to identify the backward and forward linkages of the drug syndicate are on for which help of foreign DLEAs is being be taken. This operation is also a great example of Inter-agency cooperation and coordination.
Operation “SAGAR-MANTHAN” was launched early this year by NCB by constituting a team of officers of Operations Branch of NCB Headquarters & officers of Operations /Intelligence Wing of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and ATS Gujarat Police to counter the threat to national security emanating from maritime trafficking of illicit drugs.
A series of such maritime operations have been launched by NCB in coordination with the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard and till now about 3400 Kgs of various Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substance have been seized and 11 Iranian Nationals and 14 Pakistani Nationals have been arrested in three cases, who are all in jail awaiting trial.
The officials added that these significant operational achievements in the Indian territorial water are a testament to our resolve to eradicate the scourge of drugs from India to realize our vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat by 2047.
To further enhance the capacities of Law Enforcement Agencies to deal with the menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse the Union Government has recently created 111 posts in NCB including 5 SP level posts in addition to the 425 posts created in last 2 years, officials further added.
