- International market value of the seized narcotics estimated at nearly ₹1,150 crore

New Delhi, May 27 (H.S.): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), during a joint maritime anti-smuggling operation conducted near the Mundra coast, seized 115 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated international market value of approximately ₹1,150 crore. The vessel involved has been brought to port for further investigation. The ICG, Gujarat ATS, and other concerned agencies are jointly probing the matter.

The ICG has been carrying out sustained operations against maritime narcotics smuggling for the past five years. This operation, conducted jointly with the Gujarat ATS, marks their fifteenth anti-narcotics mission and reaffirms their unwavering commitment toward strengthening maritime security and achieving the national objective of a drug-free India.

As part of this ongoing effort, the ICG, in coordination with the Gujarat ATS, launched an intelligence-based anti-smuggling operation near the Mundra coast during the night of May 25-26.

ICG Commander Amit Uniyal stated that ATS personnel were also onboard the interceptor boats during the operation. While conducting surveillance, suspicious activities were observed aboard the container vessel *MV Europe*, which was anchored nearly five nautical miles off Mundra. Some bags were reportedly seen being thrown into the sea from the ship.

Demonstrating swift operational response and exceptional coordination among various agencies, the joint team of the ICG and Gujarat ATS immediately reached the location and recovered five bags from the sea despite extremely challenging conditions and poor visibility during nighttime operations.

Upon examination, the bags were found to contain packets of a white powdery substance, which was later confirmed to be cocaine. A total of 115 packets were seized during the operation, with each packet weighing approximately one kilogram. Altogether, the total quantity of narcotics recovered was around 115 kilograms.

The estimated international market value of the seized drugs is approximately ₹1,150 crore. The vessel has since been brought to port for further investigation, while the joint inquiry by the ICG, Gujarat ATS, and other concerned agencies remains underway.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar