New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the seizure of more than 500 kg of drugs and the arrest of five Pakistani nationals in the Arabian Sea off Lakshadweep was the outcome of 16 days of effective coordination among Indian security agencies. Reacting to the Indian Coast Guard's interception of the vessel carrying drugs, Shah also said the Narendra Modi government was determined to protect the country's youth from the scourge of drugs.“Upholding a stellar example of coordination and cooperation among agencies, the 16-day-long operation also seized an Iranian boat,” Shah said in a post on X.In a joint operation involving the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Indian Coast Guard and central intelligence agencies, 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin were seized from an Iranian boat in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), he said.The vessel was intercepted 160 nautical miles northwest of Lakshadweep and 490 nautical miles southwest of Mumbai. “Five Pakistani nationals have been arrested, with further investigation underway to identify the wider network and its intended receivers,” Shah said.

Pakistan’s role in narcotics smuggling once again came to light following the massive seizure in the Arabian Sea of Lakshadweep.The seizure followed an extensive operation by the security agencies against suspected narcotics trafficking in the Arabian Sea. The operation highlights the role of coordinated surveillance and intelligence-sharing among agencies in tackling drug smuggling through India's maritime routes.The ICG intercepted a Pakistani vessel off the Lakshadweep coast in the Arabian Sea after a hot pursuit, seizing 526 kg of high-grade narcotics valued at over Rs 3,000 crore and apprehending five Pakistani nationals on September 25.Acting on inputs regarding an illicit consignment traversing key maritime corridors, ICG established radar contact with the suspicious dhow west of the Lakshadweep archipelago before initiating a hot pursuit."Specialised boarding teams executed a high-seas tactical assault, securing the vessel and detaining all five crew members without incident," the ICG said in an official statement.

A thorough search of the dhow yielded the illicit drugs, including high-grade heroin and methamphetamine.The ICG officials said that the five Pakistani nationals were apprehended following a dramatic chase across international waters.After sustained aerial and surface tracking, the Coast Guard units engaged in hot pursuit as the vessel attempted evasive manoeuvres. Specialised boarding teams executed a high-seas tactical assault, securing the vessel and detaining all five crew members without incident, the ICG said.The Coast Guard reaffirmed its mission readiness, stating that Bharatiya Tatrakshak remains resolutely postured to secure national maritime frontiers, combat organised crime, and dismantle transnational cartels in support of the nationwide drug-free India campaign.The apprehended vessel and the crew have been escorted to Mumbai harbour, where a multi-agency probe is underway. The agencies are now trying to map out the syndicate’s financial trail and domestic contribution networks.

The Narendra Modi government had launched a massive campaign against drugs with the promise that India would be drug-free. Home Minister Shah had recently said that in order to accomplish this mission, the agencies would work at the district level as well.An official said that with major cities under the radar of the agencies, the Inter Services Intelligence-backed narcotics cartels had decided to move operations to smaller towns. The target is to break 100 major international and inter-state drug syndicates which have been indulging in narcotics smuggling in India.Statistics show that between 2014 and 2026, over 1.18 crore kg valued at around Rs 1.84 lakh crore has been seized by the various agencies in the country.

This has been a result of close coordination between the state and central agencies. Further, the agencies have also been coordinating with their international counterparts to bring back drug lords and their cronies who are operating from across the borders.Authorities said that between 2014 and 2026, 42.47 lakh kg of drugs valued at Rs 89,896 crore had been destroyed. Annual narcotics seizures reached an all-time high in 2024, when 1,330 to 1,691 tonnes were seized, marking a 55 per cent increase over 2023.An Intelligence Bureau official said that the government has been working closely with other countries.During all conversations that are held with international leaders, India has been clear on its commitment to dismantle the drug network.“Further, destroying the narcotics cartels also deals a severe setback to the terror networks. The terror networks are completely reliant on the money earned through narcotics trade. Hence, dealing a blow to the narcotics cartels automatically becomes a setback for the ISI-controlled terror groups which look to hit India,” the official said.

/IANS