Shyam Sood
Rajouri-Delhi, April 28: In a significant achievement India Coast Guard (ICG) in collaboration with Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Gujrat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Sunday have recovered 86 Kgs of narcotics valued @ Rs 600 Cr from the apprehended 14 crew members of a Pakistani Vessel off the Gujarat coast.
The maritime security agency said that it was a joint breathtaking overnight anti-narcotics operation carried out after intelligence-based inputs by the India Coast Guard.
“The ICG ship Rajratan, equipped with ATS and NCB officials, positively identified the suspect boat despite attempts to evade detection. The swift response of the Rajratan, supported by a fleet of ships and aircraft on concurrent missions, left no room for escape for the drug-laden vessel,” said the security agency.
“The ship’s specialist team embarked on the suspect boat and after thorough checks, confirmed the presence of a sizable number of narcotics,” the agency added.
ICG and ATS officials approached the Pakistani fishing boat and confronted it with bravery. The crew members surrendered only after an ICG official had to shoot.
The crew and the vessel are currently being escorted to Porbandar for further investigation and legal proceedings.
The jointness of Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad which has led to eleven such successful law enforcement operations in the last three years reaffirms the synergy for national objectives.
ICG and ATS officials approached the Pakistani fishing boat and confronted it with bravery. An ICG official had to shoot, after which the crew members of the boat surrendered and the officials detained them,” Sahay told media persons.
He said the head of the crew was injured in his right hand in the firing and was undergoing treatment.
