Gujarat SMC seizes Rs 1 Cr cocaine on Navsari highway

Navsari : In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) of Gujarat has seized a consignment of cocaine worth over ₹1 crore on Navsari Highway. The operation led to the arrest of two individuals, including a Nigerian woman, who were allegedly smuggling the contraband from Mumbai to Ahmedabad.

SMC Operation Leads to High-Value Drug Bust

Acting on a tip-off, the SMC team conducted a surveillance operation along Navsari Highway, closely monitoring vehicles suspected of transporting illegal substances. During the operation, officers intercepted a suspicious vehicle and carried out a thorough search. The search led to the discovery of a significant quantity of cocaine, estimated to be worth over ₹1 crore in the illegal market.

Authorities arrested two individuals in connection with the case—a Nigerian woman and the car’s driver. The duo was reportedly using the highway route to ferry the drugs from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, a corridor that has seen increasing smuggling activity.

Investigation Underway: SMC Probes Drug Trafficking Network

Following the seizure, the SMC confiscated the vehicle and secured the narcotics as evidence. Officials have launched an extensive investigation to determine the origins of the smuggled drugs and their intended recipients.

Sources suggest that the interrogation of the arrested suspects could uncover deeper links to a larger drug trafficking network. Gujarat has emerged as a key point in international narcotics smuggling, with law enforcement agencies ramping up their efforts to dismantle such operations.

Rising Cocaine Seizures in Gujarat: A Growing Concern

The recent cocaine bust is part of a larger trend of increasing drug seizures in Gujarat. In 2021, the state recorded its highest-ever drug confiscation, with authorities seizing narcotics valued at ₹1,617 crore, including over 67,000 kg of illicit substances. This marked a significant rise from the 12,458 kg of drugs seized in 2020, worth ₹195 crore.

The crackdown continued in 2022, with law enforcement officials intercepting over 31,000 kg of narcotics valued at approximately ₹5,137 crore. These figures highlight the persistent challenge posed by drug trafficking in Gujarat and the intensified efforts by security agencies to curb the influx of illegal substances.

Enhanced Security Measures to Curb Smuggling

In response to the increasing drug trade, Gujarat authorities have implemented stricter surveillance measures along major highways and ports. The SMC, in collaboration with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and local police, is actively targeting drug syndicates operating in the region.