Drugs Worth Rs.3,000 Crores Seized in Arabian Sea: 5 Pakistanis Arrested

Indian agencies seized 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin worth more than Rs.3,000 crore from an Iranian boat near Lakshadweep.

16-Day Hunt Ends With Rs.3,000 Crore Drug Bust in Arabian Sea

The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have seized 526 kg of drugs worth more than Rs.3,000 crore from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea. The operation ended on 25 September, when the boat was intercepted about 160 nautical miles northwest of Lakshadweep. Five Pakistani nationals on board were arrested.

What Was Seized?

The drugs included:

  • 400 kg of methamphetamine
  • 126 kg of heroin

The boat, named Azad, was brought to Mumbai along with the five arrested men and the seized drugs.

How Did the Operation Begin?

Gujarat ATS received information on 10 September about a planned international drug deal involving a Nigerian national and people in Gujarat.

Investigators learned that more than 500 kg of drugs was expected to arrive in India on the Iranian boat Azad. The plan was allegedly to transfer the drugs to a boat from Tamil Nadu in Indian waters. The drugs were then allegedly meant to be taken to Punjab. Investigators also found that an advance payment had been made through hawala, an informal money-transfer system.

16 Days of Searching at Sea

After receiving the information, Gujarat ATS contacted the Indian Coast Guard. A joint team was formed, with ATS officers travelling to Kochi to join Coast Guard personnel.

The teams carried out surveillance and tracked vessels across a large area of the Arabian Sea. Finding the correct boat was difficult because of the large number of vessels in the area. After days of tracking, the suspected Iranian dhow was finally located west of Lakshadweep on 25 September.

The Coast Guard then launched a pursuit, stopped the boat and boarded it.

Who Was Arrested?

The five arrested men were identified as:

  • Mohammad Yakub Balochi
  • Shakirullah
  • Faridullah
  • Ahmed Khan
  • Wahidullah Khan

All five are residents of Peshawar, Pakistan.

According to investigators, the men said the drugs had been transferred to Azad from a smaller boat that came from Gwadar, Pakistan. They said Azad had then sailed from Konarak, Iran.

Where Were the Drugs Going?

According to the preliminary investigation, the drugs were allegedly supposed to be transferred to a Tamil Nadu-based boat and then moved in smaller quantities by road towards Punjab. Investigators are also looking into the wider international network behind the shipment and its intended recipients.

Amit Shah Praises Joint Operation

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the seizure was the result of a joint operation involving the Gujarat ATS, Indian Coast Guard and central intelligence agencies. The agencies are continuing their investigation into the wider drug-smuggling network.

Another Major Drug Seizure in May

This was not the first major drug operation involving the Gujarat ATS and Coast Guard this year. In May 2026, the two agencies seized around 115 kg of cocaine off the Mundra coast in Gujarat. The drugs were estimated to be worth about Rs.1,150 crore.

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