A Pakistani ship was intercepted in Indian waters near the Gujarat coast on Monday with a consignment of heroin worth Rs 280 crores that it was trying to smuggle into India. 

The operation to apprehend the ship named Al Haj was carried out jointly by India Coast Guard and Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The ship had 9 crew members on board.

"In joint Ops with ATS Gujarat, India Coast Guard ships apprehended Pak ship Al Haj with 09 crew in the Indian side of the Arabian sea with heroin worth Rs 280 crores. Boat being brought to Jakhau for investigation," the PRO Defence, Gujarat tweeted.

The boat is being brought to Jakhau port on the Gulf of Kutch for further investigation.

More than 80% of illegal drugs flowing into India come from Pakistan. The drug cartels have the support of the Pakistani deep state as a result of which the authorities in the neighbouring country give them a free hand to operate.

Pakistan has been weaponising the illicit drug trade which is used to fund covert terror operations against India.

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