Indian Coast Guard seizes ₹3,000 crore of heroin and methamphetamine from Iranian dhow off Lakshadweep

The Indian Coast Guard, in a joint operation with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), has seized around 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine worth more than ₹3,000 crore from an Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea, officials said on Wednesday (September 30), The Hindu reported (https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/3000-crore-drugs-seized-from-iranian-boat-in-arabian-sea-5-pakistan-nationals-detained/article71526673.ece).

Five Pakistani nationals who were operating the vessel were detained during the interdiction west of Lakshadweep on September 25, the Coast Guard said in a statement. Acting on intelligence inputs, Coast Guard assets carried out coordinated sea and air surveillance to track the suspicious dhow before launching a hot pursuit and boarding it, according to Times Now (https://www.timesnownews.com/india/iranian-boat-rs-3000-crore-drugs-5-pakistanis-big-coast-guard-operation-near-lakshadweep-article-156249425).

The seized contraband comprised high-grade methamphetamine and heroin, the Coast Guard said. The vessel, its crew and the drugs were brought to Mumbai under armed escort for joint interrogation and further legal proceedings.

The Gujarat ATS confirmed the apprehension of the five men and is expected to brief the media on the operation later on Wednesday.

In its statement, the Coast Guard described the interdiction as a “decisive strike” aimed at “crippling the financial engine of hostile foreign syndicates” and preventing dangerous synthetic substances from reaching the mainland, Onmanorama reported (https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2026/09/30/3-000-crore-drugs-seized-from-iranian-boat-in-arabian-sea-5-pakistani-nationals-detained.html). It said the operation would strengthen efforts under the Union Government’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.