Coast Guard seizes ₹3,000 crore narcotics, 5 Pakistanis held in Arabian Sea op
Synopsis
Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS intercepted an Iranian dhow west of Lakshadweep on 25 September, seizing 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine worth over ₹3,000 crore and arresting five Pakistani nationals — one of the largest maritime drug busts in recent Indian history, exposing a sophisticated transnational narco syndicate operating through the Arabian Sea corridor.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS intercepted a suspicious Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea on 25 September 2026 , west of Lakshadweep .
Approximately 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine — valued at over ₹3,000 crore — was seized in the operation.
Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were apprehended and are under custody.
The vessel, crew, and contraband have been escorted to Mumbai for joint interrogation and multi-agency legal proceedings.
The ICG described the operation as part of its commitment to Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and countering transnational narco-terror financing.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Gujarat's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) jointly intercepted a major maritime narcotics smuggling attempt in the Arabian Sea on 25 September 2026, seizing approximately 526 kilograms of high-grade contraband — comprising heroin and methamphetamine — valued at over ₹3,000 crore in international markets. Five Pakistani nationals were apprehended aboard a suspicious Iranian dhow west of Lakshadweep in the operation.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on actionable intelligence, ICG assets deployed a coordinated sea-air surveillance grid, maintaining what officials described as 'unyielding tracking' of the target vessel before initiating a hot pursuit. The Coast Guard boarded and neutralised the suspicious Iranian dhow on 25 September, west of Lakshadweep, in a manoeuvre that reflected precise inter-agency coordination between Bharatiya Tatrakshak and Gujarat ATS.
The intercepted vessel, its crew, and the seized contraband have since been escorted under armed guard to Mumbai for joint interrogation and multi-agency legal proceedings, officials confirmed.
Scale of the Seizure
The 526 kg haul — split between heroin and methamphetamine — is among the largest single maritime drug seizures in recent memory in Indian waters. At over ₹3,000 crore by international market valuation, the consignment points to a well-capitalised transnational syndicate with the logistics to move high-value synthetic narcotics through open-sea routes. Notably, the use of an Iranian-flagged dhow crewed by Pakistani nationals underscores the multi-country architecture of such smuggling networks operating through the Arabian Sea corridor.
What the Coast Guard Said
'This operational success exemplifies Bharatiya Tatrakshak's unyielding maritime dominance, robust surveillance grid, and resolute commitment to maintaining zero tolerance against illicit activities within India's sovereign waters and extended maritime zones,' the ICG said in an official statement.
The force further described the mission as a 'critical force multiplier' to the Union Government's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, stating it had 'crippled the financial engine of hostile foreign syndicates' and intercepted toxic synthetic substances before they could reach mainland India.
Broader Security Context
The Arabian Sea has emerged as a high-pressure maritime zone for Indian security forces in recent years, with the ICG and Navy conducting multiple drug and weapons interdiction operations. This latest bust comes amid sustained pressure from the Centre on coastal and maritime agencies to disrupt transnational narco-terror financing routes. Investigators are expected to probe links between the captured crew and larger syndicate networks, with the five Pakistani nationals now in custody for multi-agency interrogation in Mumbai.
What Happens Next
The five arrested individuals face joint interrogation by the ATS, ICG, and other central agencies under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and anti-terror statutes. Comprehensive legal proceedings are underway in Mumbai. Security analysts expect the seizure to prompt a deeper look at the Arabian Sea smuggling corridor and potential intelligence-sharing with partner nations.
Point of View
000 crore seizure from a single vessel is not a routine drug bust — it is a signal that well-financed transnational syndicates are actively probing India's western maritime frontier. The use of an Iranian dhow crewed by Pakistani nationals points to multi-country logistics that go well beyond opportunistic smuggling. The real test now lies in interrogation: whether the five arrested can unravel upstream networks, financiers, and land-side distribution links, or whether this remains an impressive seizure statistic with limited investigative follow-through. India's maritime interdiction capability has clearly improved; its ability to convert interceptions into prosecutable intelligence chains is the unfinished business.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized in the Indian Coast Guard operation in the Arabian Sea?
Approximately 526 kg of high-grade narcotics — comprising heroin and methamphetamine — valued at over ₹3,000 crore in international markets was seized. The drugs were found aboard a suspicious Iranian dhow intercepted west of Lakshadweep on 25 September 2026.
Who was arrested in the Arabian Sea drug bust?
Five Pakistani nationals who were operating the Iranian dhow were apprehended during the operation. They have been brought to Mumbai for joint interrogation by the Coast Guard, Gujarat ATS, and other central agencies.
Which agencies conducted the operation and how?
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Gujarat's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) jointly executed the operation using actionable intelligence and sea-air surveillance. The ICG conducted a hot pursuit, boarded the vessel, neutralised the threat, and escorted the dhow under armed guard to Mumbai.
Where are the arrested crew and seized drugs now?
The intercepted vessel, its five-member Pakistani crew, and all seized contraband have been escorted to Mumbai under armed guard for comprehensive multi-agency legal proceedings under relevant NDPS Act and anti-terror provisions.
How does this seizure fit into India's anti-drug efforts?
The Coast Guard described the operation as a 'critical force multiplier' for the Centre's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. The Arabian Sea has seen a series of such interdictions in recent years, reflecting a broader push by Indian maritime agencies to disrupt transnational narco-terror financing networks operating through western sea routes.
