The Indian Coast Guard, Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad and central intelligence agencies have intercepted a major transnational narcotics smuggling operation in the Arabian Sea, seizing approximately 526 kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine valued at more than ₹3,000 crore.
The intelligence-led maritime operation culminated in the interception of an Iranian dhow within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone west of Lakshadweep on September 25, 2026. Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were apprehended, while the boat and narcotics were taken into custody for further investigation.
According to the government, the wider operation was conducted between September 14 and September 30 and involved sustained coordination among the Indian Coast Guard, Gujarat ATS and central intelligence agencies. Investigators are now working to identify the wider trafficking network, including the intended recipients of the narcotics.
Intelligence-Led Surveillance Across the Arabian Sea
The operation began after agencies received intelligence concerning a suspected maritime narcotics consignment moving through the Arabian Sea. Indian Coast Guard assets were deployed to locate and monitor the vessel through coordinated sea and air surveillance.
The suspected dhow was kept under persistent observation before Coast Guard units initiated a coordinated pursuit. The operation ultimately led to the boarding and interception of the Iranian vessel on the high seas.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the vessel was intercepted around 160 nautical miles northwest of Lakshadweep and approximately 490 nautical miles southwest of Mumbai. The location placed the operation within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone and demonstrated the ability of maritime and intelligence agencies to track suspected trafficking vessels across considerable distances.
526 Kg of Heroin and Methamphetamine Seized
A search of the intercepted vessel resulted in the recovery of approximately 526 kilograms of high-grade narcotic substances, identified by authorities as heroin and methamphetamine.
The estimated value of the seized drugs exceeds ₹3,000 crore, making the interception a significant maritime narcotics seizure. The five Pakistani nationals found aboard the vessel were arrested, while the Iranian dhow itself was seized as part of the investigation.
Following the interception, the vessel, its crew and the seized narcotics were escorted under armed security to Mumbai. The suspects are being subjected to joint interrogation as multiple agencies investigate the origin of the consignment, its maritime route and its intended destination.
Sixteen-Day Multi-Agency Operation
The government described the seizure as the result of a 16-day operation extending from September 14 to September 30, highlighting the sustained surveillance and coordination required to track and intercept the vessel.
The operation brought together the Indian Coast Guard’s maritime surveillance and interception capabilities with intelligence generated by the Gujarat ATS and central agencies. Such coordination is particularly important in maritime narcotics cases, where trafficking networks can use fishing vessels, dhows and other commercial craft to move consignments across international waters before attempting transfers closer to shore.
The seizure also illustrates the growing importance of intelligence-led maritime enforcement as India strengthens surveillance across the Arabian Sea and its wider maritime approaches.
Investigation Turns to Wider Transnational Network
Authorities are now attempting to determine the full structure of the narcotics network associated with the intercepted vessel. Investigators are expected to examine the origin of the drugs, financing arrangements, communication networks, maritime logistics and potential receivers connected with the shipment.
The nationality of the arrested crew, the Iranian registration or origin of the dhow and the scale of the narcotics consignment point to the transnational character of the trafficking operation. Further investigation will be required to establish whether additional vessels, facilitators or land-based distribution networks were connected to the consignment.
Multi-agency legal proceedings are also being initiated following the seizure and arrests.
Maritime Security and India’s Anti-Narcotics Campaign
The government has linked the operation to its wider Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign and its strategy to disrupt organised narcotics networks before drugs reach Indian shores.
The Drug Control Vision Document for 2026–2029 provides a broader framework for strengthening enforcement, improving intelligence coordination, dismantling trafficking networks and reducing the availability of narcotics within the country.
India’s long coastline, extensive Exclusive Economic Zone and location close to major international shipping routes make maritime surveillance an important component of narcotics control. Trafficking syndicates can exploit long sea routes and ship-to-ship transfers to conceal the movement of contraband, making coordinated intelligence, aerial surveillance and offshore interception increasingly important.
Indian Coast Guard Strengthens Maritime Narcotics Interdiction
The latest seizure adds to the Indian Coast Guard’s expanding role in counter-narcotics operations alongside its responsibilities for maritime security, search and rescue, coastal surveillance and protection of India’s maritime interests.
The successful interception of the Iranian dhow after sustained intelligence gathering and sea-air tracking demonstrates how coordinated surveillance can disrupt narcotics consignments far from the Indian coastline. The seizure of more than half a tonne of heroin and methamphetamine, the arrest of five foreign nationals and the investigation into the wider trafficking network represent a substantial disruption of a transnational smuggling operation.
The operation reinforces India’s ability to combine maritime surveillance, intelligence sharing and inter-agency enforcement to protect its coastal and maritime approaches from organised narcotics trafficking while strengthening the broader national campaign against illegal drugs.
References
Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Defence — “ICG Interdicts Transnational Syndicate with Rs 3,000 Cr Narcotics Seizure,” September 30, 2026.
Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs — Statement on the seizure of 526 kilograms of methamphetamine and heroin from an Iranian boat during a joint Gujarat ATS, Indian Coast Guard and central intelligence agencies operation, September 30, 2026.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah — Official statement on the September 2026 Arabian Sea narcotics interception.
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