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Kochi:
An Iranian fishing vessel with round 200 kg of heroin value over Rs 1,200 crore has been seized in a joint operation by the Narcotics Management Bureau (NCB) and the Indian Navy, the NCB mentioned on Friday.
Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy Director Normal (operations) of the NCB, who met reporters, mentioned the company has arrested six Iran nationals and the boat, together with the heroin, was dropped at Mattancherry wharf.
“The NCB has now seized the vessel and 200 kg of heroin. The six Iranian crew members have additionally been arrested underneath related sections of the NDPS Act, 1985,” Singh mentioned, including that interrogation was on.
He mentioned the drug was present in 200 packets every of which has markings and packing specialties distinctive to Afghanistan- and Pakistan-based drug cartels.
“Whereas among the drug packets had ‘Scorpion’ seal markings, the others had ‘dragon’ seal markings. The drug was additionally packed in a water-proof seven-layered packing. Preliminary investigation revealed that the seized drug was sourced from Afghanistan and was transported to Pakistan. This consignment was then loaded into the now-seized vessel off Pakistan coast in a mid-sea alternate,” NCB mentioned.
The company mentioned the vessel then set sail to Indian waters for additional supply of the consignment to a Sri Lankan vessel.
It mentioned efforts had been made to determine and intercept this Sri Lankan vessel however it could not be traced.
Singh mentioned the accused tried to flee by leaping into the ocean and in addition tried to dump the consignment into the waters.
The NCB mentioned trafficking Afghan heroin into India by way of Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean into India has exponentially elevated over the previous few years.
“The southern route for trafficking of heroin from Afghanistan i.e. from Afghanistan to Makran coast of Iran and Pakistan after which onwards to varied international locations within the Indian Ocean Area together with India has gained prominence over the previous few years,” Singh mentioned.
Despite the fact that the dhow was seized and dropped at Mattancherry on Thursday itself, the officers didn’t disclose any particulars till at present’s press meet by Singh.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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