New Delhi Mar 12 : In an overnight joint operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), based on intelligence inputs, apprehended a Pakistani boat with six crew members and narcotics onboard, worth approximately Rs 480 crore.

The boat was apprehended on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, about 350 Km from Porbandar in a sea-air coordinated operation involving ICG ships and Dornier Aircraft , an official statement said.

The operation exhibited well-coordinated efforts between ICG, NCB and ATS Gujarat.

The ICG, on specific intelligence input from agencies, strategically positioned its ships in Arabian Sea on Monday. ICG also tasked its Dornier aircraft to scan and locate the boat in likely areas. After an exhaustive search in the area, the ICG Ships, with teams of NCB and ATS Gujarat, arrived at the location and identified the boat which was moving suspiciously in the dark.

On being challenged by ICG Ships, the boat started evasive manoeuvring, but was deftly chased and forced to stop. The boarding team immediately embarked the ship for preliminary checks and investigations.

The boat was found to be a Pakistani boat with six crew. Investigation by the joint boarding team and rummaging of boat revealed approximately. 80 Kg of drugs worth approx. Rs 480 Crore.

The boat along with crew has been apprehended and is being brought to Porbandar for further investigation. This is the tenth apprehension by ICG, jointly with ATS Gujarat and NCB, in last three years, amounting to 517Kg Narcotics worth Rs 3135 Crores.

UNI