The Indian Navy has seized narcotics worth Rs 3,000 crore from a fishing vessel, suspected to be of foreign origin, in the Arabian sea, a Defence spokesman said here on Monday.
He said that Indian Naval Ship ''Suvarna'' whilst on surveillance patrol in the Arabian Sea, encountered the fishing vessel moving around in a suspicious manner.
"To investigate the vessel, the ships team conducted a boarding and search operation, which led to the seizure of more than 300 kg of narcotics substances", he said.
The boat with its crew has been escorted to the nearest port, Kochi, for further investigation, the spokesman said, adding the approximate value of the seizure in the international market is estimated to be Rs 3,000 Crore.
He, however, did not disclose the exact location from where the seizure was effected, or the day.
"This is a major catch, not only in terms of the quantity and cost, but also from the perspective of disruption of the illegal narcotics smuggling routes, which emanate from the Makran coast and flow towards the Indian, Maldivian and Sri Lankan destinations," he said.
Apart from the human costs from drug addiction, the spoils of narcotics trade feed syndicates involved in terrorism, radicalisation and criminal activities, the spokesman added.
Deep Depression Over Arabian Sea Intensifies Into Cyclone Asna: Weather Office Warming Of Arabian Sea Linked To Wayanad Landslides, Says Climate Scientist 2 Mumbai Cops Save Woman, 59, From Drowning In Arabian Sea During High Tide Strangled, Left In Car Trunk: How Harshita Brella Was Killed By Husband AR Rahman, Wife Saira Announce Separation After 29 Years Of Marriage US Arrests Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's Brother Anmol, But Not For Murder Delhi University Warns Students Against Fake Notice About Winter Break Bryan Johnson, Tech Millionaire Whose Anti-Ageing Experiment Goes Wrong Video: Buffaloes Chase Away Lioness In Gujarat Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.