The Indian Coast Guard ( ICG ) Mandapam, in collaboration with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence ( DRI ) Chennai, intercepted a country boat sailing towards Sri Lanka in the Gulf of Mannar, seizing a staggering 99 kilograms of Hashish with an estimated value of Rs 108 crores. The operation, conducted on March 5, 2024, marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the region.
The successful interception came following specific intelligence developed by officers of the DRI Chennai Zonal Unit, indicating a potential smuggling attempt along the coastal route near Mandapam sea coast. Acting swiftly on this information, a joint surveillance operation was launched by officers of the DRI and the Indian Coast Guard, deploying the Indian Coast Guard Ship during the intervening night of March 4th and 5th, 2024.
During the surveillance mission at sea, authorities identified a country boat heading towards Sri Lanka and swiftly intercepted it after a brief pursuit. Upon boarding and searching the vessel, officers discovered five concealed sacks containing illicit substances. The boat, along with the contraband and its three occupants, was promptly escorted to the Indian Coast Guard Station Mandapam for further investigation.
Subsequent interrogation revealed that the individuals on board had received the bags packed with narcotics from an individual at Pamban Coastal area. They confessed to transporting the illegal substances as per instructions received, with the intent to hand them over to unknown recipients from Sri Lanka at sea.
Further examination of the seized sacks uncovered a total of 111 packets weighing 99 kilograms in total, containing a brown sticky substance identified as Hashish, a prohibited narcotic under the NDPS Act.
The international market value of the seized Hashish is estimated to be around ₹108 crores. All four individuals involved in the smuggling attempt were apprehended for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Support our journalism by subscribing to Taxscan premium. Follow us on Telegram for quick updates
