The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad have seized 115 kilograms of cocaine near Mundra port in Gujarat, exposing a suspected international drug trafficking network using maritime routes. Officials estimate the value of the seized narcotics at nearly ₹1,150 crore, making it one of the major drug seizures reported along India’s western coastline.
Three foreign nationals were arrested during the joint operation. They have been identified as Tanzanian national Juma Nasir Umar, Nigerian citizen Kelvin Chukwuoma and Ugandan national Bairunge James. Investigating agencies suspect the case is linked to a transnational drug syndicate operating through multiple countries and sea routes.
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Cargo Vessel and Brazil Route Under Scanner
According to officials, the cocaine consignment was allegedly being transported to India from Brazil through a planned maritime route. Preliminary investigation found that the narcotics had been concealed inside the cargo vessel Europe in a sophisticated manner to avoid routine inspection.
Gujarat Director General of Police K.L.N. Rao stated that the consignment had allegedly travelled through maritime corridors connected to Latin America, Mexico, the United States and Pakistan’s Karachi region before entering Indian waters.
Sources said the cocaine had been loaded onto the vessel in Brazil in November last year. The packets were reportedly hidden inside the ship’s motor room, an area considered difficult to inspect during standard security checks.
Six Bags Thrown Into Sea, Five Recovered
Intelligence agencies had received inputs that a large quantity of cocaine was being routed towards Delhi through maritime channels. Following this, Gujarat ATS and the Indian Coast Guard launched a coordinated surveillance and interception operation.
On the morning of May 26, security agencies surrounded the cargo vessel Europe after it anchored near Mundra port. Officials said suspected traffickers panicked as Coast Guard teams approached the ship and threw six bags into the sea in an attempt to destroy evidence.
A rapid marine search operation was launched immediately. Five bags were recovered from the water, while one bag remains missing. Upon examination, authorities recovered 115 packets of cocaine from the seized bags.
Delhi Link and Foreign Syndicate Being Probed
Investigators believe the packaging pattern and concealment method indicate the involvement of an organised international drug syndicate. Agencies are now examining the intended distribution network within India and trying to identify the states and criminal channels that were meant to receive the consignment.
During the operation, another Tanzanian national, identified as Ningite Nasoro Jumane, allegedly jumped into the sea and escaped. Maritime surveillance agencies and intelligence units have been alerted to trace him.
Investigators further revealed that after the consignment was received at sea, it was allegedly meant to be transported onward to Delhi. Acting on intelligence inputs, ATS teams later conducted raids in Delhi’s Dwarka area and arrested Kelvin Chukwuoma and Bairunge James. Central agencies, Gujarat ATS and the Indian Coast Guard are now jointly investigating the origin of the narcotics, Indian operatives connected to the syndicate and the wider international network behind the smuggling operation.
