“Pakistani mastermind, ISI links…” NCB Deputy Director reveals details of ‘Operation Samudragupt’

In a massive crackdown against drugs smuggling, Indian Navy, NCB, seized 2,500 kg of Methamphetamine off the Kerala coast on May 1. The Methamphetamine has been sourced from the ‘Death Crescent’ valued at around Rs 15,000 crore in international markets. The seizure was part of ‘Operation Samudragupt’, which was launched to target maritime drug trafficking. A Pakistani national was also detained in connection with the case. According to the NCB Deputy Director, the kingpin behind the syndicate is Haji Salim, who is the ‘biggest’ drug smuggler in Pakistan. He also claimed that the Haji Salim’s network reportedly funded Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. The Indian agencies launched ‘Operation Samudragupt’ in Feb 2022 to combat drugs smuggling in Indian waters. Around 10 persons have been arrested on charges of drugs smuggling during this operation so far. This is the first time an Indian agency has intercepted a “mother ship” carrying a huge cache of drugs. Around 134 sacks of suspected Methamphetamine were recovered from the ship. The recovered sacks, Pakistani national and the intercepted boat were brought to Mattancherry Wharf in Kochi. Pakistan has been accused of frequently cross-border drug smuggling via drones and other means