NCB seizes 700 kg meth worth Rs 1,700 crore off Gujarat coast, arrests eight Iranians in Operation Sagar Manthan

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized nearly 700 kilos of methamphetamine (meth), a psychotropic substance, from an unregistered vessel in Indian territorial waters, according to a senior NCB official on Friday (November 15).

The interception, carried out in collaboration with the Gujarat Police and the Indian Navy, led to the seizure of meth worth around Rs 1,700 crore. Eight persons on board the ship, who had no identity documents and claimed to be Iranian nationals, were taken into custody.

Deputy Director General of Operations (NCB) Gyaneshwar Singh revealed that intelligence indicated that an unregistered ship without AIS (Automatic Identification System) would enter Indian waters carrying narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.

Based on this information, Operation SAGAR-MANTHAN-4 was initiated, which enabled the Indian Navy to mobilize its maritime patrol assets and intercept the ship, resulting in its seizure.

Investigations are underway to uncover the drug syndicate’s wider network, with support from international drug enforcement agencies. The new Indian Express reported.

Earlier this year, the NCB launched ‘Operation Sagar Manthan’ by assembling a dedicated team from its headquarters, besides personnel from the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS. The operation aims to address threats to national security posed by maritime drug trafficking.

To date, a series of such operations have resulted in the seizure of approximately 3,400 kilograms of narcotics and psychotropic substances. The arrests this year include 11 Iranian and 14 Pakistani nationals across three cases, all of whom remain in custody awaiting trial.

To strengthen its efforts against drug trafficking, the government recently approved 111 new posts for the NCB, including five at the SP level, in addition to the 425 posts created in the last two years.