Coast Guard intercepts vessel with drugs worth at ₹3,500 crore.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Sunday intercepted a vessel and recovered a whopping 1,500 kg of heroin worth ₹3,500 crore.

According to a Defence Ministry spokesperson, the merchant vessel was intercepted by ICG ship Samudra Pavak off the Gujarat coast near Porbandar.

“Based on intelligence inputs, the vessel was intercepted on July 29. This is the largest single haul of narcotics seized till date,” defence PRO Abhishek Matiman said.

More details on where the consignment originated and the persons involved in the syndicate were awaited. A joint investigation has been launched by ICG, police, Customs Department and the Intelligence Bureau to ascertain the origin and final destination of the shipment. Preliminary investigations indicate that it was meant to be delivered to Gujarat and Mumbai.

The sources added that crew members of the merchant vessel were arrested while the narcotic consignment was seized by the authorities.

The ICG had increased surveillance through its vessels and aircraft following an IB tip-off and its vessel, the Samudra Pavak spotted the suspicious vessel.

Upon interception, it was found to be carrying the huge consignment of narcotics.