NCB seizes 200 kg heroin worth ₹ 1,200 cr near Kochi, 6 Iranians arrested

The narcotic control bureau (NCB) has seized 200 kg of high-quality heroin from an Iranian dhow in a joint operation conducted with navy and coast guard off the Kochi coast two days ago, agency officials said on Thursday.

An NCB official said six occupants of the dhow were arrested and four of them were from Iran and identity of two was not yet established. He said the seized boat was towed to Kochi coast on Thursday and occupants were questioned for more details and the operation was based on a tip off from international



agencies.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the contraband from Afghanistan is being brought to India by international drug cartels and seized substances were worth more than ₹1,300 crore in drug market. Recently, Indian enforcement agencies were able to bust a drug trafficking ring off the Indian coast in Arabian Sea.

In May, a joint team of NCB and DRI seized 218 kg heroin off Lakshadweep coast. Navy and other agencies have increased patrolling near Lakshadweep coast after intelligence reports that cartels were eyeing the serene coast in a big way, the officer quoted above said.