Porbandar/Gandhinagar, February 17, 2026 — In a high-stakes overnight maritime operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), working in close coordination with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), intercepted a speedboat off the Gujarat coast and seized approximately 203 kg of a crystalline substance suspected to be narcotics.
The joint mission unfolded in the early hours of February 16 in the Arabian Sea, based on precise intelligence provided by the Gujarat ATS regarding a possible drug smuggling attempt through Indian waters.
An ICG ship, already on patrol in the sensitive maritime border area, detected the suspicious vessel and issued a challenge. The speedboat attempted to evade capture by fleeing toward the Notional International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). A high-speed pursuit ensued, and the ICG successfully intercepted the boat approximately 140 nautical miles (around 259 km) from Porbandar, or roughly 188 km southwest of Dwarka.
Upon boarding, personnel discovered 203 packets, each weighing 1 kg, containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be a narcotic drug. The exact nature of the contraband is under forensic examination at the Porbandar Coast Guard station.
Two Iranian nationals manning the vessel were apprehended. The seized speedboat and the two individuals have been brought to Porbandar for detailed interrogation and further investigation into the origin of the shipment, the smuggling network, and possible links to larger syndicates.
Officials described the operation as a significant blow to cross-border drug trafficking attempts.
“This successful interception highlights the effective synergy between the Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS in safeguarding our maritime borders,” an ICG statement read. “It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to coastal security and to disrupting illegal activities that threaten national interests.”
The seizure aligns with the government’s ongoing #NashaMuktBharat (Drug-Free India) campaign and comes amid heightened vigilance along India’s western coastline, a known route for narcotics smuggling from the Persian Gulf region.
The investigation remains active, with agencies examining potential international connections and the broader supply chain. No further details on the identities of the apprehended individuals or the final classification of the seized substance have been released pending laboratory results and interrogation outcomes.
