Gujarat with 1600 km coastline – the largest coastline of India has paved way for overseas trade and commerce for years. However, it has now become a malicious transit point for India’s drug trading.
Recently, Gujarat ATS seized more than 30 kg of heroin in a 72-hour-long operation where seven Iranian nationals were detained. The drugs were found in the sea 185 nautical miles from Porbandar with the Iranian Pakistani drug mafia. The crew members carried the drugs from Afghanistan to Iran and then from Iran ports to Gujarat ports.
Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Marine Police, Gujarat Police along with Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted a ship at Mundra port in Kutch, which had two containers that had been ‘mis-declared as talcum powder’ but had been trying to smuggle heroin in the country from Afghanistan via Iran ports.
As per the officials, they were tipped off and found such a large quantity of talcum powder being imported as suspicious. Upon intercepting the containers, heroin was found buried under the packets of talcum powder. And officials weighed the heroin over the course of two days, which came up to 2988.22 kg with the approximate valuation of the drugs being Rs. 7 crores per kilogram.
Read more on Udta Gujarat: State ATS nabs seven Iranians with drugs worth Rs 9000 crore
Gujarat ATS has expelled all seven accused in the case and nabbed them in an account of the seizure of drugs worth Rs 150 crore. The accused were presented in front of the Porbandar court today by the ATS seeking a 14-day remand.
Large quantities of drugs have been expedited so as to inquire as to where and by whom these drugs were ordered. Satellite phones have also been recovered from the accused. The accused are yet to be investigated as to who infiltrated Indian waters and who helped them.
Also read: Is Gujarat New Drug Capital of India
Also read: Talibani connection to India’s biggest drug bust in Gujarat
Following all the issues, the court has granted 12 days remand to all the accused.
