In a major operation, the Indian Coast Guard seized a huge consignment of five tonnes of illicit drugs in a fishing boat in the Andaman Sea.

According to the defense officials, this is likely to be the biggest-ever drug haul seized by the Indian Coast Guard. In a statement, the officials said, "Indian Coast Guard has apprehended a huge consignment of around five tonnes of drugs from a fishing boat in the Andaman waters. This is likely to be the biggest ever drug haul by the Indian Coast Guard ever. More details awaited.”

This seizure is the latest in a series of similar operations conducted by anti-narcotics agencies in their ongoing crackdown on drug smuggling and cartels.

Earlier this month witnessed many such seizures which includes a significant drug bust by anti-narcotics agencies that intercepted around 700 kilograms of methamphetamine (commonly known as meth) and arrested eight Iranian nationals in Indian territorial waters off the Gujarat coast.

The operation, named 'Sagar Manthan - 4', was initiated based on intelligence gathered, as stated by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). It involved the Navy’s swift action, using its maritime patrol assets to identify and intercept the vessel.

The operation was executed by the NCB in collaboration with the Navy, and Gujarat Police Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). Union Home Minister Amit Shah commented on the drug bust, calling it a “stellar example of the government's commitment to its vision and the seamless coordination among our agencies in achieving this goal.”

Anti-narcotics agencies have seized a staggering 3,500 kilograms of drugs trafficked via the maritime route this year, resulting in the arrest of 11 Iranian nationals and 14 Pakistani nationals across three separate cases.
According to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), all of the arrested individuals are currently in jail, awaiting trial.