AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), in a joint operation with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), early on Wednesday morning nabbed nine Iranian crew members and seized 100 kilograms of heroin, estimated to be worth Rs 500 crore, after intercepting their dhow off Porbandar coast in Gujarat while they were trying to smuggle the narcotic to India.

The midnight operation in the deep seas saw the ICG and ATS officials engage in a long chase of the Pakistan-made dhow off Porbandar coast. Staring at an impeding arrest, the alleged smugglers set their own dhow ablaze to destroy the evidence. The Gujarat ATS officers, however, nabbed the nine Iranians in the sea as the dhow sank. The ATS officials have also identified two brothers from Porbandar who were to be delivered the consignment.

ATS officials on Wednesday said that the ICG vessel had brought the nine Iranian crew members to Probandar ICG jetty where they are being interrogated. The Gujarat coast it seems is becoming a regular infiltration route for Pakistani smugglers, said a senior ATS official.

Earlier this year, 1500 kg heroin was seized by ICG along the Gujarat coast. "This is the second instance in the last one year where Gujarat ATS has seized such a large quantity of heroin in Gujarat," the official said.