Yesterday in a joint and risky operation launched by MTF Marine Task Force , ICG Indian Coast Guard and ATS Anti-Terrorist Squad of Gujarat arrested 9 Iranian personnel along with 100 kilograms of narcotics off the coast of Gujarat.
On 24 March 2019, based on inputs from ATS, Gujarat on an illegal consignment of narcotic drug, heroin, likely to be smuggled in Gujarat from a Dhow ex-Iran. It also exposed that the consignment was loaded in Pakistan and destined for Gujarat. A team of ATS embarked Indian Coast Guard Ship for the mission while communication frequencies were constantly monitored by the ATS personnel. After extensive search of more than 24 hours, the suspicious Dhow was intercepted on 26 March 2019 by ICG ship off Gujarat coast. On being challenged the suspicious Dhow resorted to evasive tactics to avoid apprehension. On realising that arrest by ICG was inevitable, the crew set the Dhow on fire to destroy the evidence. In a bold Joint Boarding Operation, the ICG and ATS team reached the Dhow and took 9 Iranian crew along with recovery of 100 Kg of Heroine into their custody.
Drug mafia tried to blow the boat after being arrested by ATS and Indian Coast Guard. It is believed that board had a stock of Rs 500 crores on-board.
The ICG ship thereafter, attempted to extinguish the fire on-board the Dhow however, due to presence of large quantity of fuel and few gas cylinders, the fire became uncontrollable and consequently the Dhow sank. The arrested crew alongwith the consignment has been brought to Porbandar by Indian Coast Guard Ship and handed over to MTF Marine Task Force, Gujarat AM 27 March 2019 for further action.
