Navy seizes narcotics worth Rs 3,000 cr

In one of the biggest seizures in recent times, the Indian Navy seized 300 kgs of narcotics valued at Rs 3,000 crore in the international market.

Indian Naval Ship Suvarna, whilst on surveillance patrol in the Arabian Sea, encountered a fishing vessel with suspicious movements. To investigate the vessel, the ship’s team conducted a boarding and search operation, which led to the seizure of more than 300 kgs of narcotics substances.

The boat with its crew has been escorted to the nearest Indian Port of Kochi, Kerala for further investigation. The approximate cost of the catch in the international market is estimated to be Rs. 3000 crore, according to a press statement circulated by Mumbai-headquartered Western Naval Command.

This is a major catch not only in terms of the quantity and cost but also from the perspective of disruption of the illegal narcotics smuggling routes, which emanate from the Makran coast and flow towards the Indian, Maldivian and Sri Lankan destinations.

"Apart from the human costs from drug addiction, the spoils of narcotics trade feed syndicates involved in terrorism, radicalisation and criminal activities," the statement said.