ICG into action mode, Rs 300 crore worth ketamine seized

S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @infodeaofficial

The day on 19 September will be ever rememberable for Indian Coast Guard, for that is the day when it tasted victory once again in its efforts to curb illegal activities again saw tasted success.

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Rajveer apprehended 1160 kgs of ketamine in a sea-air coordinated operation on 19 September. Sources from Defence Ministry say ketamine apprehended is worth Rs 300 crore.

ICG aircraft on routine surveillance on 18 September sighted a suspicious vessel operating in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and not responding on VHF.

Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajveer was directed to intercept the vessel and carry out investigation. It intercepted the vessel near Car Nicobar island at 9:00 am on 19 September.

The vessel was unlit and tried to evade ICGS Rajveer, on being directed to stop. ICGS Rajveer finally forced the vessel to stop and it was boarded by Coast Guard.

Upon interrogation it was revealed that the boat carrying the drug began its journey from Damson Bay in Myanmar on 14 September. They were going to deliver the drug filled in gunny bags to another ship at
the maritime border Thailand-Malaysia.

The apprehended vessel contained 57 bags of ketamine, the drug was moved to ICGS Rajveer. On the return journey to Port Blair the apprehended boat began experiencing water penetration.

Sources say, Coast Guard’s efforts to prevent flooding in the apprehended boat did not yield desired results and the vessel sank. Coast Guard Ship Rajveer resumed its journey along with six Myanmarese crew and reached Port Blair on 21 September.

A joint interrogation with Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and local police in attendance took place. NCB’s analysis revealed the drug was ketamine. It is worth recollecting that ICG has apprehended narcotics and psychotrophic substances to the tune of Rs 6000 crores (excluding the current operation) in the last five years.