November 15, 2024: In a significant blow to international drug smuggling networks, an Iranian boat carrying over 500 kilograms of narcotics was intercepted off the coast of Gujarat's Porbandar in the early hours of Thursday morning. The drugs, believed to be worth millions, were seized after an overnight high-seas operation led by a joint team of the Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

The operation, which unfolded near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL)—the demarcation separating India's territorial waters from international seas—resulted in the detainment of several suspects aboard the Iranian vessel. Authorities are now questioning the crew members to uncover the origins of the drugs and identify the intended destination of the massive consignment.

The intercepted boat was initially spotted by surveillance teams operating along the busy sea routes. Once flagged, it was brought to the Porbandar port for further inspection. Authorities have confirmed that the drugs seized include a range of high-value substances, although the exact types have yet to be disclosed.

The operation is part of a broader strategy by Indian authorities to curb narcotics trafficking through the country's western seaboard, a key route for smuggling operations from the Middle East and beyond. Officials are now closely monitoring other vessels in the area, with fears that this consignment could be part of a larger, coordinated smuggling ring.

While investigations are still ongoing, there is growing speculation about the involvement of Pakistan in the drug shipment. Indian officials have long alleged that Pakistani-based trafficking groups use maritime routes to smuggle drugs into India, a practice believed to be funding illicit activities, including terror operations. Authorities are working to determine if this particular shipment had any links to Pakistani territory.

The bust comes just weeks after Gujarat witnessed another major drug seizure. In October, narcotics worth over ₹250 crore were found at an industrial facility in Ankleshwar, Bharuch district. In a similar high-profile operation earlier this year, authorities seized drugs worth an estimated ₹5,000 crore from a facility in the same region. The state's strategic coastal location makes it a prime target for narcotics syndicates, particularly from neighboring countries.