In a major operation aimed at reinforcing the government’s vision of a “drug-free Bharat,” the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Gujarat ATS intercepted a massive narcotics consignment near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off Gujarat’s coast. Valued at approximately Rs 1,800 crore, the 300-kilogram haul was seized during a late-night mission between April 12 and 13, marking one of the largest maritime drug recoveries this year.
Smugglers Flee, Contraband Retrieved at Sea
According to the ICG, the smugglers, upon spotting the patrol vessel, attempted to evade capture by dumping the narcotics into the sea and fleeing across the maritime boundary. The contraband was swiftly retrieved by Indian authorities and handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for further investigation. Officials believe the operation was part of a larger international trafficking route, and intelligence inputs are being examined to track down the network behind the smuggling attempt.
The seizure underscores India’s stepped-up anti-drug campaign in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for a drug-free nation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently emphasized that the government is committed to uprooting drug syndicates and will continue to take strict action across the country.
Nationwide Anti-Drug Efforts Yield Record Seizures
Last week, Assam police confiscated 30.4 kg of methamphetamine tablets worth Rs 24.32 crore, adding to a growing list of successful interdictions. Shah noted that these increasing numbers of seizures reflect effective enforcement, not a rise in consumption. Data from the central government reveals that drugs worth Rs 16,914 crore have been seized across India in 2024 alone—the highest since independence.
Between 2004 and 2014, around 3.63 lakh kilograms of drugs were seized. This figure surged to 24 lakh kilograms between 2014 and 2024, a seven-fold increase. Similarly, the value of destroyed drugs rose from Rs 8,150 crore in the earlier decade to Rs 56,861 crore in the last ten years.
