Iranian drug smugglers nabbed in operation off Gujarat coast

Iranian drug smugglers nabbed in operation off Gujarat coast

1. Nine Iranian drug smugglers have been arrested off Gujarat’s Porbandar coast in a joint operation by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad, Marine Task Force and Indian Coast Guard. 100 kg heroin worth Rs 500 crore has been seized.
2. The smugglers had picked up the consignment of drugs from Gwadar port in Pakistan. The consignment was owned by a Pakistani drug mafia Hamid Malek. The Gwadar Port is a deep-sea port situated on the Arabian Sea at Gwadar in Balochistan province of Pakistan.
3. The Indian Coast Guard is a multi-mission organization entrusted with superintendence and policing of India’s maritime areas including the Exclusive Economic Zone. The Indian Coast Guard was established in 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of as an independent armed force of India. The organization is headed by the Director General Indian Coast Guard (DGICG).
4. Marine Task Force was set up by the Gujarat government to enhance security and surveillance along its coast. DIG-rank officer designated as Marine Task Force commander heads the Task force.