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28-04-2024
Bureau Report + Agencies
NEW DELHI/ PORBANDAR: The Indian Coast Guard today intercepted a suspicious Pakistani boat that had nearly 86 kg of drugs worth millions of rupees. Acting on intelligence, the Coast Guard along with the Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), launched a crackdown on the drug trafficking syndicate operating in the region.
Along with the drugs, 14 crew members from the Pakistani vessel were also detained.
“In a breathtaking overnight operation, the Indian Coast Guard undertook an intelligence-based anti-narcotics operation at sea. Approx 86 kg of narcotics worth ₹ 600 crore has been apprehended along with 14 crew from the Pakistani boat,” the Coast Guard said in a press release.
The agency deployed ships and aircraft on concurrent missions to ensure the efficiency of the operation. One of the key vessels involved in the operation was the Coast Guard ship Rajratan, which had officials from both the NCB and ATS on board.
Despite attempts by the suspected drug-laden boat to evade capture, the vigilant ship successfully identified and intercepted it. A specialized team from the ship conducted a thorough search, confirming the presence of drugs onboard.
“No amount of evasive maneuvering tactics employed by the drug laden boat could save it from the swift and strong ICG ship Rajratan. Ship’s specialist team embarked the suspect boat and after thorough checks, confirmed the presence of the sizeable amount narcotics,” Coast Guard said.
The seized Pakistani boat, along with its crew, is being brought to Porbandar for further investigation.
Last month, Pakistan protested India’s action on a Karachi-bound ship from China on suspicion of ‘consignment for nuclear program’. Calling the action an “unjustified seizure” of commercial goods destined for Karachi, Pakistan clarified that the consignment was a “simple case” of the import of a commercial lathe machine by a commercial entity which supplies parts to the automobile industry in this country.
The transportation of goods is a simple case of import of a commercial lathe machine by a Karachi-based commercial entity for Pakistan’s automobile industry, stated Pakistan’s Foreign Office
Pakistan’s reaction has come after security officials intercepted and seized the consignment of a Karachi-bound ship from China at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port. The security agencies found that it was a dual-use consignment with implications for Pakistan’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Calling India’s action as ‘unjustified’, the foreign official said, “Pakistan condemns India’s high-handedness in seizure of commercial goods. This disruption of free trade underscores the dangers inherent in the arbitrary assumption of policing roles by states with dubious credentials. Such acts also highlight the growing impunity of certain states in violating international norms and taking arbitrary measures in violation of international law.”
The transaction was being conducted through transparent banking channels with all the relevant documentation.
The relevant private entities are pursuing the matter against this unjustified seizure.
Pakistan condemns India’s high handedness in seizure of commercial goods. This disruption of free trade underscores the dangers inherent in arbitrary assumption of policing roles by states with dubious credentials.
Such acts also highlight the growing impunity of certain states in violating international norms and taking arbitrary measures in violation of international law.”
