Seized boat part of international drug racket: sources

The boat seized by Indian Navy and Coast Guard could be part of a major international smuggling racket, officials said on Tuesday as the eight Pakistani men on board were interrogated.

According to sources, the eight men who were on board are being interrogated at Porbandar.

The satellite communication phones and Global Positioning System (GPS) being used by the occupants of the seized boat are also expected to reveal some information about their handler, said official sources.

The boat was caught in the international waters off Gujarat coast after a nearly two-day chase which began on April 18 following intelligence inputs.

Western Naval Command headquarters and the Coast Guard Regional headquarters (North West) worked closely, and Indian Navy ships Nirghat, Kondul and Coast Guard vessel Sangram were deployed in the search and seizure operation.

Naval and Coast Guard aircraft, including Dorniers, IL38 and P8Is augmented the efforts scanning through the waters.

The boat was finally located by Coast Guard's ship Sangram early on Monday and later caught. Naval ship Kondul provided support to the entire operation.

An official statement jointly by the Navy and Coast Guard said 232 packets of heroine worth Rs.600 crore were recovered from the boat.