In a significant joint operation conducted on Sunday, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) collaborated to apprehend 14 Pakistani nationals off the Gujarat coast. This concerted effort led to the seizure of a staggering 86 kilograms of contraband drugs valued at an estimated Rs 602 crore from the possession of the suspects.
The operation unfolded amid heightened tensions as the Pakistani nationals, in a bid to evade arrest, resorted to dangerous tactics, including attempting to ram their boat into ATS officials and opening fire in retaliation. Despite the perilous circumstances, law enforcement agencies managed to subdue the suspects and bring them into custody.
The intensive search operation, spanning two days, was meticulously conducted near the international sea border, yet well within the confines of Indian territorial waters. This coordinated effort underscores the commitment of security agencies to combat illicit drug trafficking and safeguarding national borders from such nefarious activities.
This notable achievement comes hot on the heels of another significant breakthrough, wherein the NCB successfully dismantled three illicit drug manufacturing labs in Gujarat and Rajasthan. These clandestine facilities were engaged in the production of mephedrone, colloquially known as 'meow meow', a banned substance with widespread illicit usage. The crackdown resulted in the arrest of seven individuals connected to the operations, with narcotics valued at approximately Rs 300 crore seized by the anti-drug agency.
The discovery of these illicit drug manufacturing units followed actionable intelligence provided to the Gujarat Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) by a confidential informant. This collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies serves as a potent deterrent against the proliferation of narcotics and underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and proactive intervention to combat the menace of drug trafficking in the region.
