NEW DELHI, Apr 21:
In a closely coordinated operation by the Indian Coast Guard and Navy, a Pakistani boat carrying large quantity of narcotics has been apprehended in international waters, off the coast of Gujarat.
The operation also resulted in the apprehension of eight Pakistani nationals manning the boat, an official statement issued by the Coast Guard said here today. The operation was launched on April 18 , based on the intelligence inputs, and was conducted in close coordination by Coast Guard Regional Headquarters(NW) and Headquarters Western Naval Command, the statement said. Multiple units from the Coast Guard and Navy were deployed for the operation, which included Indian Coast Guard Ship Sangram along with IN Ship Nirghat and Kondul. The search was augmented by extensive aerial searches undertaken by Coast Guard and Naval aircraft including Dorniers, IL-38 and P8Is.
” In a display of seamless coordination, the suspected boat was intercepted by ICG Ship Sangram in the wee hours of April 20, and thereafter apprehended later in the morning, whilst IN ship Kondul provided support to the entire evolution,” the statement said. The initial investigations by Coast Guard Ship Sangram led to recovery of 232 packets of narcotics, suspected to be heroin and worth up to Rupees 600 crore in the international market. Additionally, satellite communication phones and Global Positioning Systems, being used to facilitate transhipment of the contraband to another boat were also confiscated. The apprehended boat is being brought to Porbandar for further investigations by law enforcement authorities. (AGENCIES)
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