In a coordinated air-sea operation, the Indian Coast Guard has seized more than five tonnes of synthetic narcotic contraband (initial testing indicates Methamphetamine), off the Andaman and Nicobar islands, WION has learnt. The suspicious foreign-origin fishing vessel was identified and tracked by an Indian Coast Guard Dornier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft, following which fast patrol vessels were tasked to intercept and apprehend it.&nbsp;

The foreign-origin vessel with six foreign crew members was apprehended in the Andaman Sea in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and has been taken to Port Blair for further investigation. Port Blair houses the Joint Command of the Indian Armed Forces, which is the country's only tri-services(Army, Navy, Air Force) command, and the regional headquarters of the Indian Coast Guard's Andaman and Nicobar Command.

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There are more than 550 islands of varying sizes in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, making it a highly challenging region to monitor for illegal activities. The latest seizure of contraband comes barely a few days after India conducted its largest-ever Maritime Security drill - Exercise Sea Vigil-2024. The exercise involved the Indian tri-services, six central ministries, and 21 law enforcement agencies from the state and central levels.&nbsp;

The latest operation was carried out amid harsh weather at sea, owing to the storm that is brewing in the Bay of Bengal, off India's East Coast.&nbsp;According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the&nbsp;well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining East Equatorial Indian Ocean concentrated into a depression at 8.30 am Indian Standard Time, Monday, 25th November. In Meteorological parlance, depression is associated with stormy weather, gusty winds, and rough sea conditions.&nbsp;

This is the single largest contraband seizure in the nearly five-decades-long history of the Indian Coast Guard, which has been at the forefront of maritime law enforcement in India's Exclusive Economic Zone that is spread across 2.4 million square kilometres.&nbsp;For context, the Indian Coast Guard's annual seizure of contraband (all kinds of drugs) usually hovers between 1-1.5 tonnes. However, in the latest operation, 5 tonnes were seized in a single day, from a single vessel, making it unprecedented.&nbsp;

Based on estimates from previous Meth seizures, it can be said that the latest Meth consignment weighing more than 5 tonnes could have a market value running into billions of US dollars (far exceeding Rs 8400 cr).

In a coordinated air-sea operation, the Indian Coast Guard has seized more than five tonnes of synthetic narcotic contraband (initial testing indicates Methamphetamine), off the Andaman and Nicobar islands, WION has learnt.

In a coordinated air-sea operation, the Indian Coast Guard has seized more than five tonnes of synthetic narcotic contraband (initial testing indicates Methamphetamine), off the Andaman and Nicobar islands, WION has learnt. The suspicious foreign-origin fishing vessel was identified and tracked by an Indian Coast Guard Dornier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft, following which fast patrol vessels were tasked to intercept and apprehend it. The foreign-origin vessel with six foreign crew members was apprehended in the Andaman Sea in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and has been taken to Port Blair for further investigation. Port Blair houses the Joint Command of the Indian Armed Forces, which is the country's only tri-services(Army, Navy, Air Force) command, and the regional headquarters of the Indian Coast Guard's Andaman and Nicobar Command. Also read: Ex-British soldier captured in Russia while fighting for Ukraine: Report There are more than 550 islands of varying sizes in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, making it a highly challenging region to monitor for illegal activities. The latest seizure of contraband comes barely a few days after India conducted its largest-ever Maritime Security drill - Exercise Sea Vigil-2024. The exercise involved the Indian tri-services, six central ministries, and 21 law enforcement agencies from the state and central levels. The latest operation was carried out amid harsh weather at sea, owing to the storm that is brewing in the Bay of Bengal, off India's East Coast. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining East Equatorial Indian Ocean concentrated into a depression at 8.30 am Indian Standard Time, Monday, 25th November. In Meteorological parlance, depression is associated with stormy weather, gusty winds, and rough sea conditions. This is the single largest contraband seizure in the nearly five-decades-long history of the Indian Coast Guard, which has been at the forefront of maritime law enforcement in India's Exclusive Economic Zone that is spread across 2.4 million square kilometres. For context, the Indian Coast Guard's annual seizure of contraband (all kinds of drugs) usually hovers between 1-1.5 tonnes. However, in the latest operation, 5 tonnes were seized in a single day, from a single vessel, making it unprecedented. Based on estimates from previous Meth seizures, it can be said that the latest Meth consignment weighing more than 5 tonnes could have a market value running into billions of US dollars (far exceeding Rs 8400 cr).

India's largest drug bust: 5 tonnes of Meth seized by Coast Guard off Andamans

In a joint operation, the Delhi Police and Gujarat Police carried out a major drug bust on Sunday, seizing 518 kilogrammes of cocaine in Ankleshwar, Gujarat. According to ANI, the drugs have an estimated street value of ₹5,000 crore ($594 million).

The drugs, weighing 518 kilogrammes, were reportedly linked to a company called Pharma Solution Services, and came from Avkar Drugs Limited.

Over the past two weeks, authorities have made significant drug busts in both Delhi and Gujarat. According to PTI, the total value of the seized drugs is estimated to be ₹13,000 crore (1.55 billion), which includes 1,289 kilogrammes of cocaine and 40 kilogrammes of premium-grade hydroponic marijuana sourced from Thailand.

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On 10 October, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police confiscated 200 kilogrammes of cocaine from a rented shop in West Delhi’s Ramesh Nagar, according to a report from PTI. The drugs, valued at ₹2,000 crore ($238 million), were concealed in plastic snack packets labelled ‘Tasty Treat’ and ‘Chatpata Mixture.’ Authorities found 20-25 such packets stored in cartons within the small, narrow shop.

This seizure came shortly after another major bust in New Delhi on 2 October, during which over 500 kg of cocaine and 40 kg of hydroponic marijuana were recovered. The total street value of the drugs is estimated at ₹5,600 crore ($667 million), making it one of the largest drug operations in recent memory.

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Police revealed that 15 kg of cocaine was recovered from the main accused, Tushar Goyal, along with his associates Himanshu and Aurangzeb. The remaining quantities of marijuana and cocaine were found stored in a warehouse.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that Tushar Goyal, the suspected leader of the drug cartel, has links to the Congress party, where he once served as the head of the Indian Youth Congress RTI (Right to Information) Cell.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a joint operation, the Delhi Police and Gujarat Police carried out a major drug bust on Sunday, seizing 518 kilogrammes of cocaine in Ankleshwar, Gujarat. According to ANI, the drugs have an estimated street value of ₹5,000 crore ($594 million).

In a joint operation, the Delhi Police and Gujarat Police carried out a major drug bust on Sunday, seizing 518 kilogrammes of cocaine in Ankleshwar, Gujarat. According to ANI, the drugs have an estimated street value of ₹5,000 crore ($594 million). The drugs, weighing 518 kilogrammes, were reportedly linked to a company called Pharma Solution Services, and came from Avkar Drugs Limited. Over the past two weeks, authorities have made significant drug busts in both Delhi and Gujarat. According to PTI, the total value of the seized drugs is estimated to be ₹13,000 crore (1.55 billion), which includes 1,289 kilogrammes of cocaine and 40 kilogrammes of premium-grade hydroponic marijuana sourced from Thailand. Also read: Baba Siddique murder: Mumbai Police probing FB post claiming Bishnoi gang role On 10 October, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police confiscated 200 kilogrammes of cocaine from a rented shop in West Delhi’s Ramesh Nagar, according to a report from PTI. The drugs, valued at ₹2,000 crore ($238 million), were concealed in plastic snack packets labelled ‘Tasty Treat’ and ‘Chatpata Mixture.’ Authorities found 20-25 such packets stored in cartons within the small, narrow shop. This seizure came shortly after another major bust in New Delhi on 2 October, during which over 500 kg of cocaine and 40 kg of hydroponic marijuana were recovered. The total street value of the drugs is estimated at ₹5,600 crore ($667 million), making it one of the largest drug operations in recent memory. Also read: Bangladesh urges unity after India slams 'deplorable' Durga Puja incidents Police revealed that 15 kg of cocaine was recovered from the main accused, Tushar Goyal, along with his associates Himanshu and Aurangzeb. The remaining quantities of marijuana and cocaine were found stored in a warehouse. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that Tushar Goyal, the suspected leader of the drug cartel, has links to the Congress party, where he once served as the head of the Indian Youth Congress RTI (Right to Information) Cell. (With inputs from agencies)

Delhi and Gujarat Police seize 518 kg of cocaine worth $594mn in third massive drug bust within 2 weeks

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India's largest drug bust: 5 tonnes of Meth seized by Coast Guard off Andamans

Delhi and Gujarat Police seize 518 kg of cocaine worth $594mn in third massive drug bust within 2 weeks