A Nigerian man is now linked to a big drug trafficking ring after authorities seized drugs worth over $330 million (Rs 3,000 crore) from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad named the Nigerian as a suspected middleman between a wanted suspect from Gujarat and other members of the trafficking group.
On September 25, a joint operation by the Gujarat ATS and the Indian Coast Guard led to the seizure of 526kg of drugs. This included 400kg of methamphetamine and 126kg of heroin.
Reports say that intelligence about a meeting between the Nigerian and the wanted suspect in Ahmedabad led the ATS to inform the Coast Guard, which then intercepted the Iranian boat.
Investigators claim the Nigerian is linked to a network connected to Haji Salim, a suspected drug trafficker based in Pakistan.
This network was reportedly planning to send the drugs to Punjab for distribution across northern India. The drugs were supposed to be moved from the Iranian ship to a fishing boat in Indian waters before reaching the Tamil Nadu coast for further transport.
During the operation, five Pakistani nationals on the vessel were arrested. Investigators are still working to find other members of the alleged network and to clarify the Nigerian’s exact role in the drug trafficking.
The boat, intercepted northwest of Lakshadweep, was said to be carrying a Starlink device that was allegedly used for communication with contacts in Pakistan.
The Gujarat ATS confirmed that its investigation into the suspected international drug trafficking network is still active.
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