PM Modi’s Anti-Drug Campaign: Massive 3300 Kg Drug Seize Marks Significant Victory

Pursuing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of drug-free Bharat agencies have achieved a grand success by making the biggest offshore seizure of drugs in the nation. In a joint operation carried out by NCB, Navy, and Gujarat Police, a gigantic consignment of approximately 3300 kg of drugs was seized in the Indian Ocean. This is the highest offshore seizure by quantity in the country and records in itself which includes the highest seizure of Charas/Hashish in the country. Five suspected foreign nationals have been detained/arrested.

The historic success is a testament to the Government led by the Prime Minister Shri Modi’s unwavering commitment to making our nation drug-free. Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has congratulated NCB, Navy, and Gujarat Police. Drugs are the enemy of the country’s security and future, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the Ministry of Home Affairs is fully committed to eliminating this menace.

Director General, NCB launched Operation “SAGAR-MANTHAN” headed by Sh. Gyaneshwar Singh, Deputy Director General (Ops), NCB and comprising officers of the Operations Branch of NCB Headquarters &officers of Operations / Intelligence Branches of the Indian Navy to counter the threat to national security emanating from maritime trafficking of drugs in the Indian Ocean region. A series of such maritime operations have been launched by NCBin coordination with the Indian Navy. The present Operation was preceded by “Operation Samudragupta”, a huge success.

The primary objective of the operation is to collect actionable inputs that could lead to interdiction of ships carrying narcotics contraband. For this task, the team exchanged and gathered information from the Indian Navy & other drug law enforcement agencies such as ATS Gujarat, intelligence agencies, etc. The team also cultivated numerous domestic as well as international assets. Technological interventions were also deployed to generate actionable inputs.

The continuous intelligence collection and analysis resulted in generating a reliable input. The Narcotics Control Bureau Operations Branch received information from a reliable source that a foreign fishing vessel, which is unregistered and doesn’t have any AIS installed will be coming in Indian waters with more than 3000 kilograms of narcotics substance and 5-7 foreign nationals on board. It will deliver the contraband to a fishing boat suspected to be coming in from Tamilnadu between 0500- 0700 hrs on 27^th Feb 2024 at a given point within Indian waters.

The operation codenamed “SAGAR-MANTHAN -1” was launched following this information. A joint team of NCB Operations Branch, Indian Navy, and Gujarat ATS was constituted for this operation and mobilised. To intercept the vessel, NCB requested the INDIAN NAVY for assistance. Immediately responding to our request, the Indian Navy mobilized its mission-deployed maritime patrol aircraft and warship for this operation.

The Joint team of NCB operations unit & Gujarat ATS with the help of the Indian Navy, intercepted a suspicious vessel on 27/02/2024 morning. The vessel and crew were towed to Porbandar by the Indian Warship for further necessary action.

05 foreign nationals who are not carrying any identity documents have been detained/arrested. One Thuraya and 04 mobile phones along with the boat carrying drugs has been seized. The drug packaging material bears the print “Ras Awad Foods Co, the produce of Pakistan”

The Drugs Seized included 110 Kg Charas/Hashish, 158.3Kg crystalline powder Meth, 24.6 Kg Suspected Heroin

Further investigation is on, to bust the entire International syndicate. Requisite help from foreign DLEAs will be taken. NCB has made efforts to identify and disrupt the entire networks involved in such transnational trafficking of drugs and this operation is also an outcome of such efforts. This operation is also a great example of Inter-agency cooperation and coordination. NCB places on record its appreciation for the cooperation of the Indian Navy and Gujarat Police for this major milestone towards achieving the Government’s goal of a Drug-free India.

**There is no standard way to calculate value of drugs which varies as per volume,quality, region and demand/supply. However as per rough estimate Intl. street prices of seized drugs per Kg are: Hashish- 5-10 Lakhs, Meth & Heroin 2-5 Cr**