ICG, ATS bust internal drug smuggling network; bust cocaine worth Rs 1,150 crore at Mundra coast
A joint team comprising the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Gujarat Anti-terrorism squad (ATS) sleuths seized cocaine amounting to as much as Rs 1,150 crore off the Mundra coast in Gujarat, officials reported on Wednesday. According to officials, authorities confiscated 115 kilograms of drugs during an operation carried out on the intervening night of May 25 and May 26, 2026.
Gujarat ATS officials said they initiated the crackdown based on intelligence inputs indicating that a major narcotics consignment was being smuggled into the country through the sea route. The ATS officials plunged into action and coordinated with the ICG sleuths to intercept the suspected vessel near Mundra Port.
Ship intercepted after midnight surveillance
Gujarat’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dr KLN Rao said that authorities intercepted a ship lodged at the outer anchorage of Mundra Port. During the search, they recovered six bags containing a huge cache of cocaine.
The investigating officials said the contraband had allegedly been transported by two foreign nationals aboard the vessel, and was meant to be delivered to a Tanzanian national and a Ugandan national based in Delhi. They added that 3 persons have been detained in connection with the drug bust and are being interrogated at present. Officials believe the interrogation could expose a huge international narcotics syndicate spanning across multiple countries.
High-end gadgets seized during probe
Apart from narcotics, the investigators also seized a satellite communication device and an Apple tracking tag from the possession of the accused. According to officials, forensic experts are examining the gadgets to retrieve crucial information related to the smuggling route, handlers and intended recipients.
DGP Dr Rao further added that the ship had travelled through several international locations before reaching India. Its reported route included Brazil, numerous Latin American nations, Mexico, the United States and Karachi, to later arrive near the Gujarat coastline.
Officials said that the operation marks the 15th successful anti-narcotics operation conducted jointly by the ICG and Gujarat ATS over the last five years.