This Sunday as the country engaged with the exit polls, the Coast Guard and Directorate Revenue Intelligence were busy deploying assets along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) – the line that divides India and Pakistan in the Arabian Sea. The fleet of ships and aircraft were on the lookout for a Pakistani boat suspected to be carrying narcotics. Intelligence pointed to a Pakistani boat would sneak into Indian waters to land the contraband.
After a 48-hour hunt Pakistani fishing boat Al Madina carrying drugs worth Rs 600 crore was caught earlier today morning.
Indian Coast Guard Ship Arinjay was deployed to patrol the IMBL whereas two additional interceptor boats – C437 and C408 – were tasked Jakhau and Okha ports sailed out to police the waters of the Arabian Sea. In addition Dornier aircraft were launched from “Porbandar for aerial recce,” the Coast Guard said.
The suspect vessel was spotted in the late hours of May 20 sailing the IMBL. “The boat was tailed for about a day. The suspect vessel Al-Madina crossed the IMBL on 21 May when it was intercepted 08 Nautical Miles inside Indian waters. Hundred and ninety four packets suspected to be narcotics were recovered from the boat,” the Indian Coast Guard said and added “six Pakistani crew were also apprehended.”
In March 2019, the Coast Guard Ship Rajratan intercepted a Pakistani Dhow with Iranian crew. It was carrying 100 kg of Heroin and was headed towards the Gujarat coast.
First Published:
May 21, 2019 16:40 IST
Source: HindustanTimes