Indian law enforcement intercepted a large cocaine shipment off the coast of Gujarat, leading to the arrest of three foreigners. This operation ranks among the largest anti-drug efforts in the region in recent years.
On May 26, authorities acted on crucial intelligence indicating a significant narcotics shipment was headed from Brazil to India. Early that morning, security personnel focused on the cargo ship Europe as it anchored near Mundra in Kutch district. As enforcement officials approached, some crew members attempted to dispose of their illegal cargo by tossing five bags overboard, though one bag was not recovered.
Upon inspection, officials identified the substance as cocaine. They retrieved nearly 115 packets weighing around 115 kilograms, with estimates placing the market value at an astonishing ₹1,150 crore. Authorities also seized various electronic devices, including GPS systems and satellite communication tools, indicating that remote monitoring may have been in place during the shipment's journey.
At the scene, officers arrested Tanzanian national Juma Nasir Omar. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police tracked down and detained two other suspects: Nigerian national Kelvin Chukwuama and Ugandan national Bairunge James in Delhi's Dwarka area. Another Tanzanian suspect, believed to have helped conceal the cargo, evaded capture by jumping overboard during the operation, prompting ongoing searches by the Coast Guard.
Investigations revealed the drugs were loaded in Brazil in November 2025, cleverly hidden in the ship’s motor room without the knowledge of other crew members. The narcotics traveled through several international transit points, including Latin America, Mexico, the United States, and Karachi, before entering Indian territorial waters. Officials suspect the cargo was intended for a transfer at sea to another party.
Authorities have secured all seized narcotics and electronic devices, registering a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Ongoing investigations will seek to determine the drugs' final destination, including whether they were meant for local distribution or further international trafficking.
This operation represents a significant success in the fight against organized drug trafficking at sea. It also marks the 15th joint drug interdiction initiative between the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad and the Coast Guard over the past five years, involving multiple law enforcement units such as the Special Operations Group, Coastal Police, Marine Police, and officials from Mundra Port.
