Eight Pakistan nationals were arrested from the mid-sea off Gujarat coast for drug trafficking by the Indian Coast Guard. Authorities recovered 30 kilograms of heroin from them.  

According to a statement released by India’s Ministry of Defense, the coast guard officials along with Gujarat Police's Anti-terrorism squad launched an operation to nab the boat upon receiving a tip-off. It said that ATS had information about the illegal consignment being smuggled in the state through the coastline.

All the eight Pakistan nationals were apprehended immediately. Indian agencies are trying to identify the mafia behind the drug traffickers. Officials said the seized narcotics are estimated at around Rs 300 crores in the international market.

Forensic experts have been called in to examine the contraband and ascertain its type.

Last year, the Indian Coast Guard has successfully seized about 1.6 tonnes of narcotics worth approximately Rs 4,900 crore. Earlier, in January 2020, Gujarat police's Anti-terrorism squad (ATS) had arrested five Pakistan nationals and had seized 35 kg heroin from their possession.

Their boat named JamJam was spotted on the International maritime board at Jakhau in Kutch. Following their search, 35 packets of contraband heroin were recovered from them.