The Indian Coast Guard has seized drugs worth more than ₹3,000 crore in the international market after intercepting an Iranian dhow carrying five Pakistani nationals in the Arabian Sea, west of Lakshadweep. The operation targeted a major maritime narcotics smuggling attempt and was carried out jointly with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Gujarat.

The seizure included 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine. The Coast Guard said its personnel used actionable intelligence to conduct precise sea and air surveillance of the suspicious vessel. Its assets tracked the dhow before launching a hot pursuit.

“Executing precise sea-air surveillance based on actionable intelligence, Bharatiya Tatrakshak assets maintained unyielding tracking before initiating hot pursuit, neutralising the target, and boarding a suspicious Iranian dhow on 25 September 2026,” it said in a statement.

The operation took place on the high seas on September 25. Coast Guard personnel intercepted the Iranian dhow and boarded it after the pursuit. Five Pakistani nationals were found on board. The crew, along with the seized dhow and contraband, was then brought under armed escort to Mumbai.

“The intercepted dhow, crew, and seized contraband have been escorted under armed escort to Mumbai for joint interrogation and comprehensive multi-agency legal proceedings,” the Coast Guard said.

The authorities will carry out joint questioning of the crew as part of a multi-agency investigation. The seized narcotics will also be examined as agencies work to establish the wider network behind the attempted smuggling operation.

The Coast Guard described the operation as a result of its maritime surveillance and tracking capabilities. It said the interception demonstrated its ability to detect and respond to suspicious activity across the maritime domain.

The Coast Guard said the operation also targeted the financial networks supporting international drug syndicates. It said stopping the narcotics before they reach the mainland would help prevent the spread of illegal drugs among the country's youth.

“By crippling the financial engine of hostile foreign syndicates and intercepting toxic synthetic substances before they reach mainland shores, this mission serves as a critical force multiplier to the government’s vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. Bharatiya Tatrakshak remains fully postured to defend the nation's sea borders, shield the country's youth from the scourge of drugs, and uphold absolute security across the maritime domain,” it added.

The Coast Guard said it remains focused on monitoring India's sea borders and extended maritime zones. The seized vessel and its crew were taken to Mumbai for further interrogation and legal proceedings involving multiple agencies.