Indian Coast Guard apprehend Sri Lankan boat with Heroin and Weapons in daring operation
Indian Coast Guard received information from intelligence agencies regarding an illegal consignment of narcotic drugs (Heroin) being transhipped through a Sri Lankan boat in India through sea route on the Tamil Nadu Coast.
ICG deployed 5 ships to carry out extensive search for the suspected boat. Two ICG aircraft were also continuously deployed to augment sea-air coordinated search. Post extensive well planned search in the area, suspicious Sri Lankan boat was identified south of Thoothukudi. Indian Coast Guard Ship Vaibhav carried out boarding on the suspected vessel at about 10 NM off Kanyakumari.
Search of the suspicious boat revealed 99 packets of heroin, 20 boxes of synthetic drugs, five 9mm pistols and a thuraya satellite phone set. The drugs and weapons were unearthed since hidden in an unapproachable location in the boat. The cost of the entire narcotics catch is approx Rs.1000 crore in the international market.
During initial investigation, the crew members revealed that the drugs were transferred onto Sri Lankan vessel ‘Shenaya Duwa’ on the high seas by a Pakistani dhow from Karachi. The drugs were meant to be sent to western countries and Australia. The suspected Sri Lankan vessel entered Tuticorin harbour under escort of ICGS Vaibhav. The joint interrogation of the apprehended 06 crew members was undertaken at Tuticorin by all security agencies.
