VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, Nov 15: In a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks, a massive consignment of approximately 700 kg of methamphetamine was seized in Indian territorial waters in a joint operation carried out by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Indian Navy, and the Gujarat Police Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The operation, conducted as part of “Operation SAGAR-MANTHAN – 4,” resulted in the arrest of eight foreign nationals claiming to be Iranian.
The operation, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat (Drug-Free India), underscores the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards drugs. Acting on precise intelligence inputs about an unregistered vessel carrying narcotics, the authorities mobilized maritime patrol assets to intercept the suspicious vessel. The interdiction occurred on November 15, 2024, in Indian territorial waters.
The seized methamphetamine, valued between ₹1,400 crore and ₹3,500 crore based on international street prices, marks a critical success in countering maritime drug trafficking. Deputy Director General of Operations for NCB, Gyaneshwar Singh, IPS, praised the operation as a testament to inter-agency cooperation and coordination.
Operation SAGAR-MANTHAN, launched earlier this year, targets maritime drug syndicates threatening national security. Since its inception, the initiative has led to the seizure of 3,400 kg of narcotics and the arrest of 25 foreign nationals, including 11 Iranians and 14 Pakistanis. All those apprehended are currently in jail awaiting trial.
Investigations into the backward and forward linkages of this syndicate are ongoing, with assistance being sought from foreign Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs). This milestone reflects the government’s resolve to combat the menace of drugs and achieve a drug-free India by 2047.
The Union Government has also bolstered the capacity of enforcement agencies, creating 111 new posts in the NCB, including five at the SP level, in addition to the 425 posts created over the last two years.
This operation serves as a stark warning to drug syndicates operating in the region and reaffirms India’s commitment to safeguarding its national security and public health.
