Indian Coast Guard Seizes Rs. 33 Crore Hashish Oil in Major Smuggling Bust

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Directorate for Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently intercepted a ship headed to the Maldives and seized 29.954 kg of hashish oil valued at Rs. 33 crore. Three individuals involved in this smuggling operation were apprehended. The DRI received intelligence about a tractor transporting a load bar with rock blocks from Tuticorin port. A smuggling ring in Tuticorin collaborated with a crew member to transfer the hashish oil to the load barge at sea. The ship was intercepted off Kanyakumari’s coast, leading to arrests and the seizure of the drugs.

Upon the ship’s arrival at Tuticorin New Port on March 7, additional arrests were made. During a thorough search, authorities discovered 29 plastic packages labeled as food items containing a black paste-like substance confirmed to be hashish oil. The confiscated drugs weighed 29.954 kg. The suspects were presented in court and remanded to judicial custody on March 8, 2025.

In a notable development, North Korea unveiled its first submarine, signifying a significant milestone for the country. Meanwhile, the incident involving the Stena Immaculate highlights the importance of tanker security programs in the aftermath of the event. These incidents underscore the ongoing challenges faced in maintaining safety and security within maritime operations, prompting a need for enhanced vigilance and preventive measures to combat such threats effectively.

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