A ₹3,000-crore drug bust off the Lakshadweep Islands this week has delivered a significant blow to the Haji Salim network, an alleged Inter Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed narcotics syndicate, but officials say the deeper crisis for the cartel is the rapid shrinkage of viable maritime corridors into India. Intensified coastal surveillance is pushing the network toward riskier, less-familiar routes — and those too are now under scrutiny.

The Lakshadweep Seizure

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) jointly intercepted an Iranian dhow approximately 160 nautical miles northwest of Lakshadweep, seizing 400 kg of methamphetamine and 126 kg of high-grade narcotics valued at over ₹3,000 crore. Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were arrested during the operation.

According to officials, the consignment was destined for Tamil Nadu, from where it was to be routed into international markets, including Sri Lanka and countries such as Thailand. 'Haji Salim, a Dawood Ibrahim aide, is in charge of narcotic smuggling into the southern states. From there it is taken to Sri Lanka and to countries such as Thailand,' an official said.

Gujarat Route Shut Down, Southern Flank Now Under Watch

Gujarat was historically the Haji Salim network's preferred entry point into India. Multiple successive busts along this corridor, however, have inflicted 'massive losses' on the syndicate, according to officials, forcing a southward pivot. The Iranian dhow intercepted this week is a direct consequence of that forced rerouting.

'The network may have spent months planning the alternate route to bypass Gujarat. However, following the latest joint operation, the Salim gang is likely to start looking for another route,' an official said. Notably, the new southern maritime corridor has now itself come under the radar of coastal agencies — leaving the cartel with diminishing options.

Kerala Ports: From Vizhinjam to Kasargod and Malappuram

Prior to the Gujarat preference, the network had favoured Vizhinjam, near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Repeated enforcement actions there rendered it effectively unusable. 'Currently, the surveillance at this seaport is at an all-time high and smuggling narcotics is next to impossible here,' an official said.

The network subsequently identified Kasargod and Malappuram in north Kerala as alternative landing points, exploiting their relatively lower coastal surveillance. An Intelligence Bureau official confirmed these locations are now on enforcement agencies' radar. 'It is only a matter of time before surveillance is stepped up in these areas,' the official said.

ISI Stake and Terror Financing Angle

Officials allege that under arrangements struck between the ISI and operators such as Dawood Ibrahim and Haji Salim, drug cartels hand over 40 percent of narcotics trade proceeds to the ISI in exchange for protection. Officials said this money is largely used to finance terror activities in India, making every successful drug seizure also a counter-terror success.

The financial pressure on the syndicate is compounding. With multiple contingents busted in quick succession, losses are mounting — and Haji Salim is reportedly under significant pressure from international buyers who may seek alternative supply channels if deliveries continue to be disrupted.

What Agencies Say Next

Officials caution against complacency despite the string of successes. 'Both the ISI and the Haji Salim network are in need of funds. With so many of their contingents being busted in recent times, the losses that they have incurred are huge,' an official said. The consensus among security agencies is that the syndicate will attempt to identify yet another maritime corridor, but the window for doing so is narrowing with each interception.

If enforcement operations continue at this pace, international buyers are expected to look elsewhere, potentially dealing a structural blow to the Haji Salim network's revenue model and its alleged ISI-backed operations.