In a joint operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Indian Navy seized an Iranian fishing vessel with around 200 kg of heroin worth over Rs 1,200 crore on Friday. The vessel was seized from Kochi and arrested 6 Iranian crew members, said the officials.
According to SK Singh, Deputy Director General of Narcotics Bureau, it was a Pakistani boat that transferred its consignment mid-sea into an Iranian boat following which six Iranian passengers have been arrested.
“Boat carrying 200kgs heroin worth Rs 1200 cr intercepted by Indian Navy, 6 Iranian crew members arrested. Pakistan boat initially carried consignment and transferred it to Iranian boat mid-sea,it was destined for Sri Lanka and part of it was for India,” said SK Singh.
Co-ordinated action @ sea b/w #NCB & @indiannavy
👉200kg Afghan Heroin worth Rs 1200 Cr seized
👉Origin of the drug: Pakistan
👉Iranian dhow seized
👉6 Iranian crew members apprehended in Cochin#MissionDrugFreeIndia @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @BhallaAjay26 @PIBHomeAffairs pic.twitter.com/xKFvgawc4M
— NCB INDIA (@narcoticsbureau) October 7, 2022
During interrogation, the accused confessed that they are from the Konarak area of Iran, Singh said at a press conference. Singh said the heroin consignment was supplied by Pakistan-based Hadi Salim network, which supplies charas, methamphetamine to India and other countries in Indian ocean, ANI reported.
“While some of the drug packets had ‘Scorpion’ seal markings, the others had ‘dragon’ seal markings. The drug was also packed in a waterproof seven-layered packing,” NCB said.
“Apart from the human costs from drug addiction, the spoils of narcotics trade feed syndicates involved in terrorism, radicalization and criminal activities. Successful conduct of this operation reaffirms our strong commitment and resolve of not allowing seas as global commons being used for illegal activities especially in India’s maritime neighborhood,” the official statement reads.
