Indian Navy warship seizes 2.5-tons drugs

Mumbai: Adding another feather in the cap, an Indian Navy warship intercepted and seized 2,500-kgs (2.5-tons) of narcotics in the high seas in the Western Indian Ocean, officials said here.

The huge seizure was successfully carried out by INS Tarkash, which has been deployed in that region since Jan. 2025 for maritime security operations.

IN officials said that on March 31, while patrolling the vicinity, INS Tarkash received multiple inputs from an IN P8I aircraft about some suspicious vessels plying in the area.

As per the messages, these unknown vessels were reportedly engaged in certain illicit activities including narcotics trafficking.

Accordingly, INS Tarkash diverted to the area to investigate all the dubious vessels, and zeroed in on one Dhow with the coordination of P8I, its own helicopter and the Maritime Operations Centre in Mumbai.

A naval specialist team and Marine Commandos boarded the suspect Dhow and conducted a thorough search which revealed many sealed packets.

Interrogation and investigations confirmed that the packets contained 2.50 ton of narcotics comprising 2,386 kg of hashish and 121 kg of heroin.

These were concealed in different cargo holds and compartments on board the Dhow and the vessel was taken under the control of INS Tarkash.

The crew was subjected to intensive questioning pertaining to the drugs seized and their modus operandi in the narcotics smuggling in the high seas as well as the presence of other similar vessels in the area.

The operation by INS Tarkash, a frontline frigate under the Western Naval Command, underscores the Indian Navy’s unwavering commitment to combating maritime crime and bolstering regional security, said an official spokesperson.

The warship is actively supporting Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, which is part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and is based in Bahrain.

The ship is also participating in the multi-national forces joint focus operation, Anzac Tiger, and aims to promote security stability and prosperity across international waters in the Indian Ocean Region.

“This seizure underscores the effectiveness and professionalism of the Indian Navy in deterring and disrupting illicit activities, including narcotics trafficking at sea,” said the official.