Western Indian Ocean mission; Navy seizes 2500 kg narcotics off Mumbai coast

NEW DELHI: The Navy seized 2,500 kg of drugs from a ship off the western coast of the Indian Ocean, including 2,386 kg of hashish and 121 kg of heroin. It is reported that these people are part of an international drug trafficking network. Those taken into custody have been brought to Mumbai.

The operation was based on a report last Monday by the Navy's P8I aircraft about the movement of suspicious ships. The warship INS Tarkash, which was deployed in January for security operations in the western Indian Ocean region intercepted the cargo. A specialist boarding team consisting of Marine commandos surrounded the ship. Their inspection found various sealed packages. Further inspection and questioning revealed more narcotics stored in the ship's cargo holds and compartments.

Navy helicopters also landed to monitor other ships in the area. The seized ship is under the control of INS Tarkash. However, the Navy has not released further details about the ship and its crew.