Major Drug Bust at Mundra Port: 115 kg Cocaine Seized

Significant Drug Trafficking Operation Uncovered

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Indian Coast Guard have successfully dismantled a large drug trafficking operation, seizing approximately 115 kilograms of cocaine valued at around ₹1,150 crores from a vessel near Mundra Port. This operation led to the arrest of three foreign nationals, as reported by officials on Wednesday.

During a press conference, Gujarat's Director General of Police (DGP) KLN Rao revealed that the cargo ship named 'Europe' arrived at Mundra Port after traveling through Latin America, Mexico, the USA, and Karachi, Pakistan.

According to the ATS, one of the suspects indicated that the narcotics were loaded onto the ship in Brazil last November and were secretly concealed in the motor room without the crew's knowledge.

Arrests and Ongoing Investigations

Authorities apprehended a Tanzanian national named Juma Nasir Umar from the ship, while two other foreign nationals were arrested in Dwarka, Delhi, with the intention of collecting the shipment. The DGP mentioned that a search is ongoing for another suspect, also a Tanzanian, who reportedly jumped overboard during the operation.

Officials also recovered GPS devices, satellite communication tools, and AirTags from the shipment bags, indicating that the drugs were electronically monitored during transport. Rao stated that the operation was initiated based on specific intelligence regarding a significant cocaine smuggling attempt from Brazil.

Details of the Operation

On the night of May 25, ATS officials arrived at Mundra to coordinate with the Coast Guard for a joint operation. Rao explained that early on May 26, the combined team intercepted the 'Europe' vessel and commenced a search.

During the operation, the team discovered six bags filled with narcotics hidden on the ship. As the Coast Guard vessel approached, two crew members allegedly discarded several heavy bags into the sea. Despite low visibility, five bags were successfully retrieved, containing around 115 packets weighing approximately 115 kilograms.

The estimated international market value of the seized cocaine is around ₹1,150 crores. The ATS team also found four Apple AirTags among the confiscated bags, suggesting that the shipment was being tracked.

Identities of the Suspects

The two Tanzanian nationals aboard the ship were identified as Ningait Nasuoro Jumannne and Juma Nasir Umar, who were allegedly responsible for transporting the cocaine. A statement from the ATS indicated that the narcotics were to be handed over to two individuals in Delhi, identified as Kelvin Chukwuma and Bairunge James, who are citizens of Nigeria and Uganda, respectively.

Currently, three suspects are in police custody: one was apprehended on the ship, while the other two were detained in Delhi. The ATS, with assistance from the Delhi police, is bringing the suspects to Gujarat for further investigation.

Continued Efforts Against Drug Trafficking

The DGP noted that one crew member, who allegedly hid the cocaine inside the ship, jumped into the sea upon seeing the ATS and Coast Guard team. Efforts to locate the missing suspect, Tanzanian national Jumannne, are still underway.

During questioning, Umar revealed that the drugs were loaded in Brazil and secretly hidden in the motor room without the crew's knowledge. He stated that he was instructed to deliver the shipment.

Regarding the final destination of the narcotics, whether within India or abroad, the DGP mentioned that further details would emerge after thorough questioning of the suspects.

Conclusion of the Operation

The seized narcotics and related electronic devices are currently in custody, and an investigation is being conducted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This operation involved personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG) based in Kutch-Bhuj, coastal police, marine police, and the Mundra Port Authority.

Officials hailed this seizure as a significant success against international maritime drug trafficking and a testament to the close coordination among various security and enforcement agencies. This marks the 15th successful anti-drug operation conducted jointly by the Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS in the past five years.