Cocaine worth Rs 1,000 crore recovered from ship arriving from Pak near Gujarat coast

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad and the Indian Coast Guard jointly seized more than 100 kg of cocaine worth approximately Rs 1,000 crore from the Kutch coast during a maritime operation conducted off Gujarat on Tuesday. According to sources, the narcotics were recovered after authorities intercepted and searched a European ship that had reportedly arrived from Port Qasim in Pakistan.

Security agencies launched the operation after receiving intelligence inputs regarding suspected narcotics trafficking through India’s western maritime route. The ship was intercepted near the Kutch coastline, following which officials carried out a detailed search operation onboard. During the search, authorities recovered cocaine concealed inside the vessel.

One person has been arrested in connection with the seizure. Investigators are currently examining the route used by the vessel, the logistics network involved in transporting the narcotics, and the identities of handlers connected to the operation. Authorities are also probing possible international links associated with the shipment.

Officials stated that the Gujarat Director General of Police is expected to address a press conference regarding the operation and provide additional details related to the seizure, the investigation and the arrest made during the operation. Security agencies are continuing coordinated inquiries into the case.

The seizure marks the third cocaine-related operation reported in the country within the past week. On May 23, two passengers arriving from Addis Ababa were intercepted at Mumbai airport, where officials recovered 84 capsules containing 1.40 kg of cocaine after interrogation. Earlier, on May 19, an African man and woman arriving from Addis Ababa were also detained after officials recovered 63 capsules containing 850 grams of cocaine from them.