The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized a consignment of heroin transhipped through a Sri Lankan boat ‘Shenaya Duwa’ on 24 November. Upon receiving credible information from unnamed intelligence agencies, ICG deployed five ships and two aircraft for surveillance in a sea-air coordinated search. “Post extensive well-planned search in the area, extending since Nov 2020, suspicious Sri Lankan boat was identified south of Thoothukudi on 24 Nov 20. ICGS Vaibhav stealthily followed the boat, and carried out boarding at the opportune moment at about 10 NM off Kanyakumari in the evening of 24 Nov 20,” says the ICG release.
ICG found 99 packets of heroin, 20 boxes of synthetic drugs, five 9 mm pistols and a Thuraya satellite phone set during the inspection of the boat. “The drugs and weapons were unearthed since hidden in an unapproachable location in the boat. During initial questioning, the crew members revealed that the drugs were transferred onto Sri Lankan vessel on the high seas by a Pakistani dhow from Karachi. The drugs meant to be sent to western countries and Australia,” adds the release.
The Six crew members were subjected to a joint interrogation upon the vessel reaching Tuticorin.
As per ICG, anti-national elements involved in narcotics smuggling are trying to infiltrate narcotic drugs through the Indian coast in the past two years.
