Ahmedabad, 29 April (HS): Indian security agencies conducted a major operation in the Arabian Sea near Porbandar and recovered 173 kg of heroin worth Rs 1200 crore. This is the second consecutive day when such a large consignment of drugs has been seized. During the operation, attempts were also made to damage the security agency's boat and throw drug packets into the sea.

Indian Coast Guard, Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) conducted a joint operation in the Arabian Sea near Porbandar based on intelligence inputs. When a suspicious boat was spotted, it was cordoned off and 173 kg of heroin worth Rs 1200 crore was recovered. During this time, the crew on board the boat tried to damage the boat of the Indian Security Agency, due to which the security forces opened fire. The crew also threw 3 packets of drugs into the sea in view of the action of the agencies. Preliminary investigation has revealed that these drugs were being sent to Sri Lanka via Tamil Nadu.

Earlier on Sunday, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in collaboration with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 86 kg of narcotics worth Rs 600 crore during a maritime counter-narcotics operation and a carefully planned operation. 14 crew members from the Pakistani ship were systematically arrested.

ICG ship Rajratan, manned by ATS and NCB officials, identified the suspicious boat despite efforts to evade detection. The quick response of the Rajaratan ship, equipped with a fleet of ships and aircraft on concurrent missions, surrounded the drug-laden ship and left no room for escape. The ship's specialist team boarded the suspect vessel and after a thorough investigation confirmed the presence of a large quantity of narcotics. The crew and the ship have currently been brought to Porbandar for further investigation and legal proceedings.

This collaboration of ICG and ATS has resulted in eleven successful operations in the last three years, highlighting the need for coordination to achieve national objectives.

SavedHindusthan Samachar/ Indrani/Manoj