Coast Guard, CIU Seize 9.49 kg of Hashish Oil off Pamban
The successful operation highlights the Indian Coast Guard’s proactive role as the lead maritime law enforcement agency and its close coordination with intelligence agencies, Customs and other stakeholders in preventing illegal activities along India’s maritime borders.
Chennai: In a major anti-smuggling operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in coordination with the Central Intelligence Unit (CIU) Headquarters, Tiruchirappalli, seized 9.49 kilograms of hashish oil, valued at Rs 9 crore, from an Indian fishing boat off Pamban in the Gulf of Mannar during the early hours of Friday.
A release stated that following a tip-off about suspicious activity in the Gulf of Mannar island region, personnel from ICGS Mandapam and the CIU intensified surveillance during the midnight hours of December 18–19.
At around 2.30 am, the joint team detected and intercepted a suspicious fishing vessel operating off the Pamban coast. During the inspection, officials recovered 9.490 kg of hashish oil concealed on board the Indian fishing boat. Following the seizure, the area was further sanitised to ensure that no other suspicious vessels were operating nearby.
Officials stated that the seized contraband, along with the boat, has been handed over to the Central Intelligence Unit, Tiruchirappalli, for further investigation and legal proceedings under relevant laws.
The successful operation highlights the Indian Coast Guard’s proactive role as the lead maritime law enforcement agency and its close coordination with intelligence agencies, Customs and other stakeholders in preventing illegal activities along India’s maritime borders.
