Mandapam: In an anti-smuggling operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Mandapam, in collaboration with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Chennai, successfully seized 99 kilograms of Hashish with an estimated street value of Rs 108 crores. The operation took place in the Gulf of Mannar, where a country boat attempting to transport the narcotics to Sri Lanka was intercepted.
Acting on specific intelligence, officers of the DRI Chennai Zonal Unit and the Indian Coast Guard launched a joint surveillance mission in the Gulf of Mannar. The input suggested a planned narcotics smuggling operation from India to Sri Lanka via the coastal route near Mandapam sea coast. On the night of March 4th and 5th, 2024, the Indian Coast Guard Ship and DRI officers identified a country boat heading towards Sri Lanka and swiftly intercepted it after a brief hot pursuit.
Upon inspection, officers discovered five concealed sacks inside the boat. The intercepted vessel, along with the contraband and its three crew members, was escorted to the Indian Coast Guard Station Mandapam for further investigation. During questioning, the individuals on board confessed that they had received the bags filled with narcotics from an individual in the Pamban Coastal area. They were transporting the illicit substances as per instructions to hand them over to unknown individuals from Sri Lanka, who were expected to rendezvous in the deep sea.
Examination of the seized sacks revealed a total of 111 packets weighing 99 kilograms in total, containing a brown sticky material identified as Hashish. The substance, falling under the NDPS Act, holds an international market value of approximately ₹108 crores. The four apprehended individuals are now under investigation as authorities work to unravel the full extent of the smuggling network.
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