India Seizes 67kg of Hashish Oil Allegedly Bound for Maldives, Arrests Four

Indian authorities have seized 67kg of hashish oil in Tamil Nadu that was allegedly being prepared for smuggling to the Maldives, arresting four people in connection with the seizure.

According to a report by India Today, the seizure was made in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) following intelligence received by authorities. Investigators are now working to trace the source of the narcotics and identify possible links to an international drug trafficking network.

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In a separate operation at Chennai International Airport, authorities seized 3.4kg of hydroponic ganja from a female passenger who allegedly attempted to evade Customs checks. 

Both cases have been registered under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, with investigations ongoing. The combined value of the narcotics seized in the two operations was reported at more than USD 1.8 million (INR 18 crore).

The seizures come days after Indian authorities intercepted an Iranian dhow carrying approximately 526kg of narcotics in the Arabian Sea west of Lakshadweep, near the Maldives’ northern maritime region.

The Indian Coast Guard, in coordination with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad, intercepted the vessel on September 25 following sea and air surveillance, as reported by the Times of India. Five Pakistani nationals operating the vessel were detained. 

The seized drugs reportedly comprised heroin and methamphetamine, with an estimated international market value of more than USD 313 million (INR 3,000 crore).

The dhow, its crew and the seized narcotics were escorted to Mumbai under armed security, where the detainees are being questioned as part of an investigation into suspected transnational maritime drug smuggling.