Rs 1,800 Crore Meth Seized Off Gujarat Coast in Major Drug Bust

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a major blow to international drug trafficking, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Indian Coast Guard have seized over 300 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine from the Arabian Sea. The joint operation was conducted during the night of April 12-13, near the Indian Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), off the coast of Gujarat.

The operation was launched after specific intelligence inputs indicated suspicious maritime movement in the region. When the smugglers spotted the approaching patrol vessel, they attempted to evade capture by dumping large quantities of narcotics into the sea and fleeing toward international waters.

Despite the attempted escape, the ATS and Coast Guard teams successfully recovered the contraband from the water. The seized drugs, estimated to be worth approximately Rs 1,800 crore in the international market, have been handed over to the ATS for further investigation.

Gujarat’s strategic location near the ‘Golden Crescent’—a region known for high narcotics production—makes it particularly vulnerable to smuggling activities. This successful seizure highlights the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between national agencies in curbing drug trafficking along India’s maritime borders.

An investigation is currently underway to trace the broader network involved in the operation.