Indian Navy Seizes Over 2,500 kg of Narcotics in Western Indian Ocean

The Indian Navy’s frontline frigate INS Tarkash has intercepted a large consignment of narcotics in the Western Indian Ocean, seizing over 2,500 kg of illegal substances, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The operation was launched after intelligence inputs on March 31 indicated suspicious vessel movements in the region. Acting on this information, the Navy systematically interrogated multiple vessels before intercepting and boarding a suspect dhow. The operation was coordinated with the P8I maritime surveillance aircraft and the Maritime Operations Centre in Mumbai.

To enhance monitoring, INS Tarkash deployed its integral helicopter to track the suspicious vessel’s activities and identify other potential threats in the vicinity. A specialist boarding team, accompanied by Marine Commandos, conducted a thorough search of the vessel, uncovering numerous sealed packets.

Further inspection revealed a total of 2,507 kg of narcotics, including 2,386 kg of hashish and 121 kg of heroin, hidden in various compartments. The dhow was brought under the Navy’s control, and its crew underwent extensive questioning regarding their smuggling operation and possible links to other illicit activities in the region.