Massive drug smuggling bid foiled off Gujarat coast; 115 kg cocaine seized

In a major anti-drug operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Gujarat ATS seized nearly 115 kg of cocaine worth an estimated ₹1,150 crore during a joint maritime anti-smuggling mission off the Mundra coast in Gujarat. The operation was carried out during the night of May 25-26 following specific intelligence inputs about suspected narcotics movement in the Arabian Sea.

According to officials, the operation was launched after ATS Gujarat shared actionable intelligence with the Coast Guard regarding suspected smuggling activity near the Mundra anchorage area. Interceptor boats of the ICG, carrying ATS personnel onboard, conducted an extensive search operation under low-visibility night conditions.

During the search, officials spotted suspicious activity onboard a container vessel identified as MV Europe, anchored around five nautical miles off the Mundra coast. Authorities observed a few bags being thrown into the sea from the vessel, triggering an immediate response from the joint team.

The Coast Guard and ATS personnel rushed to the location and recovered five bags from the water despite difficult nighttime conditions. On examination, the bags were found to contain 115 packets of white powder, each weighing around one kilogram. Preliminary tests confirmed the substance to be cocaine.

Officials said the total seized contraband weighed approximately 115 kg. Based on open-source international market estimates, the value of the narcotics is believed to be around ₹1,150 crore.

Following the seizure, the container vessel MV Europe was escorted to port for further investigation. Joint probes involving the Indian Coast Guard, Gujarat ATS and other agencies are currently underway to identify the smuggling network and trace the origin and intended destination of the narcotics consignment.

The Indian Coast Guard noted that this is the fifteenth successful anti-narcotics operation jointly conducted with ATS Gujarat over the last five years. The agencies said the crackdown reflects continued efforts to strengthen maritime security and support the government’s “Nasha Mukt Bharat” mission against narcotics smuggling and organized crime.