The Sri Lankan boat with narcotics and arms seized by Indian Coast Guard at Minicoy Island on 18 March reached Vizhinjam, today (25 Mar).
The Coast Guard ships and aircraft conducted extensive search in the area off Lakshadweep Islands. On 18 Mar 21, patrolling CG units detected three suspicious boats off Minicoy Islands and intercepted them. Post boarding, interrogation of the crew revealed inconsistent statements. On rummaging of boats, high grade 300 Kgs Heroin and 05 AK-47 rifles with 1000 live rounds were recovered from Sri Lankan Fishing Boat Ravihansi. The estimated value of Narcotics in the international market is approx Rupees 3000 Cr. All the three boats along with 19 crew escorted to Vizhinjam, Kerala for further joint investigation.
This is the second major anti-drug trafficking operation undertaken by ICG on west coast of India within a fortnight. On 05 Mar 21, ICG ships and aircraft, in a co-ordinated operation in Lakshadweep seas, had successfully apprehended Sri Lankan boat Akarsha Duwa with 06 crew off Minicoy Island. The crew had admitted of carrying 200 Kgs high grade Heroin and 60 Kg Hashish which was jettisoned at sea on sighting of ICG ships on patrol.
In a similar operation in Nov 2020, ICG had apprehended Sri Lankan boat Shenaya Duwa off Kanyakumari, carrying 120 Kg Narcotics worth approx Rs. 1000 Cr and five weapons.
The past one year has proved to be a big setback for drug traffickers at sea as CG has successfully sized about 1.6 tons of narcotics worth approx Rs. 4900 Cr. The total drug haul done by ICG since inception amounts to Rs. 10,952 Cr.
The back to back successful anti-narcotics operations are testimony of smooth and cohesive flow of information with various Government agencies and ICG. This setup has resulted in robust detection and response mechanism coupled with unwavering commitment of ICG which has kept at bay the nefarious designs of Anti National Elements of exploiting our maritime zones for malicious intent.