Heroin worth Rs 280 cr seized from Pak boat off Gujarat coast; 9 crew members held
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Ahmedabad: Security forces have apprehended a Pakistani fishing boat in Indian waters carrying 55 kg of heroin worth about Rs 280 crore, officials said on Monday.
The operation was conducted by the Indian Coast Guard and the Anti-Terrorism Squad, Gujarat. The boat had nine crew members on board who are now arrested, reported PTI.
The Coast Guard ships intercepted and apprehended the Pakistani boat 'Al Haj' when it ventured into the Indian waters, the spokesperson said in a statement.
Officials found heroin worth ₹ 280 crores on the boat, the statement said, adding that the boat, as well as its crew members, were brought to Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district for further investigation.
According to early inputs, the nine are believed to be Pakistani nationals caught in the attempt to smuggle 55 kg of heroin by a boat near Jakhao fishing harbour off the Gujarat coast.
ATS reportedly got information about the drugs being brought from Pakistan and with the help of the Indian Coast Guard, the boat coming from across the border was spotted and necessary action was taken.
More details about the development are awaited.
In September last year, Gujarat ATS had seized some 35kg of heroin in a mid-sea operation and arrested seven Iran nationals on September 18. On November 14, ATS sleuths raided a house at Jinjuvada village in Morbi district, arrested three persons, and seized 120kg of the drug. During the investigation, they arrested around 11 persons and seized 146kg more of heroin, worth Rs 730 crore.