₹3,000 crore drugs seized from Iranian boat in Arabian Sea; 5 Pakistan nationals detained

Indian Coast Guard seizes 526 kg of illicit substance worth ₹3,000 crore in the Arabian Sea. Videograb: @PTI_News/X The Indian Coast Guard, in a joint operation with the Gujarat ATS, has seized 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin valued at more than ₹3,000 crore from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea, officials said on Wednesday (September 30, 2026).Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were also detained in the operation carried out near Lakshadweep on September 25, the Coast Guard said in a statement.Based on intelligence inputs, Coast Guard assets carried out sea-air surveillance and tracked the suspicious dhow before launching a hot pursuit and boarding it west of Lakshadweep, it said.The seized contraband comprised high-grade methamphetamine and heroin, the Coast Guard said.The vessel, its crew and the seized drugs were brought to Mumbai under armed escort for joint interrogation and further legal proceedings, it said.— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 30, 2026The operation was conducted in coordination with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad.The State ATS also confirmed the apprehension of five Pakistani nationals. It is scheduled to brief the media on the operation later in the day.The seizure comes as security agencies step up efforts to curb transnational drug trafficking through the maritime route.The Coast Guard said the operation demonstrated its surveillance and maritime interdiction capabilities and its commitment to preventing illicit activities in India's maritime zones.The seizure would help disrupt the financial network of international drug syndicates and prevent synthetic drugs from reaching the mainland, it added.‘Determined to shiled youth’Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the joint operation and said that the “Modi government is determined to shield its youth from the scourge of drugs”. In a post on X, Mr. Shah lauded the Coast Guard, Gujarat ATS, and central agencies for ‘upholding a stellar example of coordination and cooperation’.Modi govt. is determined to shield its youth from the scourge of drugs.In a joint operation by Gujarat ATS, Indian Coast Guard and Central intelligence agencies, 526 kg of Methamphetamine and Heroin has been seized from an Iranian boat in India's EEZ, 160 NM northwest of…— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 30, 2026(with PTI inputs) Published - September 30, 2026 09:14 am IST