Massive Drug Bust: Gujarat ATS and Coast Guard Foil Smuggling Operation

Major Drug Interception in Gujarat

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) along with the Indian Coast Guard successfully intercepted over 300 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, valued at approximately Rs 1,800 crore, in the Arabian Sea near the Indian Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

This operation, which took place during the night of April 12 and into the early hours of April 13, was initiated based on actionable intelligence regarding suspicious activities off the Gujarat coastline, an area increasingly recognized as a critical front in India's battle against drug trafficking.

As per a statement from the Coast Guard, a rapid-response patrol vessel was dispatched to the area after receiving alerts from central intelligence agencies. Upon noticing the approaching security vessel, the smugglers, believed to be operating a fishing boat from international waters, discarded their drug-laden cargo into the sea and swiftly retreated towards the IMBL to evade capture. Divers and crew members were then deployed for a thorough recovery operation under challenging nighttime conditions, successfully retrieving several large packages of what is suspected to be high-grade methamphetamine.

The seized drugs have been transferred to the Gujarat ATS, which is now conducting a comprehensive investigation to uncover the network behind this operation.

Gujarat's Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi praised the collaborative effort between the Gujarat ATS and the Indian Coast Guard in a post on X, highlighting the significance of this operation.

Commendable joint operation by Gujarat ATS and Indian Coast Guard! On the night of April 12-13, 2025, they seized 300 kg of narcotics worth Rs 1800 crore off the IMBL near the Gujarat coast. The consignment was recovered at sea, and ATS is conducting further investigation. This… pic.twitter.com/mqq0Xgmawg

— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) April 14, 2025

In his message, Sanghavi noted, “This operation demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in combating drug smuggling, similar to previous joint operations by the Indian Coast Guard, NCB, and ATS that have resulted in significant seizures.”

The Indian Coast Guard confirmed that the substantial consignment was seized off the IMBL near the Gujarat coast, emphasizing the successful recovery at sea and the ongoing investigation by the ATS. They reiterated the importance of inter-agency cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.

The Gujarat coastline, which spans 1,640 kilometers—the longest among Indian states—poses significant surveillance challenges. Its remote creeks, tidal inlets, and fishing harbors, especially in the Kutch region, create ideal conditions for traffickers attempting to infiltrate Indian waters undetected. The state's proximity to the infamous 'Golden Crescent'—a major global drug-producing area encompassing Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan—places it at the center of narcotics smuggling routes into the Indian subcontinent.

Gujarat has become a crucial battleground in India's efforts against drug trafficking, with numerous high-profile seizures in recent years highlighting the state's vulnerabilities.

One notable operation occurred in February 2024 when Indian authorities intercepted an Iranian fishing vessel off the Gujarat coast, seizing a record 3,300 kg of narcotics valued at over Rs 20,000 crore, marking the largest offshore drug bust in Indian history. This incident drew attention to the use of foreign vessels in deep-sea smuggling operations. Earlier, in November 2024, authorities confiscated 700 kg of methamphetamine from another Iranian ship in the Arabian Sea, with the drugs concealed in sealed plastic containers and transferred mid-sea, indicating a sophisticated supply chain.

The estimated value of these drugs exceeded Rs 4,000 crore, with investigators suspecting the consignment originated from Pakistan or Iran, destined for local distribution in India. In April 2024, law enforcement recovered 173 kg of hashish from a fishing boat near Porbandar, which involved an Indian vessel believed to be working for a Pakistan-based syndicate. Officials indicated that smugglers are increasingly using Indian nationals to receive mid-sea consignments to lower suspicion.

The issue of narcotics trafficking through Gujarat gained national attention in September 2021 when authorities seized 2,988 kg of heroin at Mundra Port in Kutch. This heroin, shipped from Afghanistan and routed through Iran, was hidden in containers labeled as talcum powder and valued at Rs 21,000 crore, marking one of the largest heroin busts globally and raising significant concerns about port security and surveillance.