Endless Struggle to Counter Drug Kingpin’s Mule Ships from Pakistan


Published on: March 20, 2024.

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Secret Network of Pakistani Fishermen Smuggling Drugs to India Brought to Light

Pakistani fishermen

Recent arrests and drug seizures have uncovered a covert network operating in the Arabian Sea, with Pakistani fishermen smuggling drugs to India. The arrests have shed light on the modus operandi of this network, revealing an intricate system of code words, desperation, and careful planning.

The process begins with fishermen from Gwadar port in Pakistan, who are approached by recruiters seeking individuals in dire need of financial support. These fishermen embark on the dangerous journey to Indian waters, carrying drugs without any identification or communication devices. The drugs are concealed in packages marked with various brands and originate from methamphetamine laboratories belonging to Haji Salim, the kingpin of this vast smuggling operation.

The Modus Operandi

Drugs being seized

At the start of the journey, each fisherman is given a Thuraya handset and a VHF radio, along with two specific code words that need to be used when the coordinates have been reached. The code words help ensure that the correct person receives the consignment, eliminating the risk of interception or betrayal. Clear communication during the journey is limited to the handlers of these fishermen, who constantly change the coordinates to maintain secrecy and evade detection.

The dire economic conditions and poverty in the region drive these fishermen to take up such risks. With dwindling profits from their fishing business, many are compelled to resort to drug smuggling as a means of survival. Recruiters exploit their financial vulnerability and desperation, offering promises of large sums of money and the opportunity to share any leftover diesel upon return.

Haji Salim and his Network

Haji Salim

The mastermind behind this operation is Haji Salim, a notorious Karachi-based kingpin. It is estimated that Salim is responsible for smuggling 70% of the drugs entering India. He operates methamphetamine laboratories in Balochistan and along the Pakistan-Iran border. His network extends beyond smuggling, with alleged links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The scale of Salim’s operations is staggering, with drugs worth crores of rupees being smuggled each month. The profits from these operations are suspected to fund terror activities. The sheer volume of smuggling requires constant monitoring and intelligence inputs to identify the drug-carrying boats in the Arabian Sea.

Indian Authorities Remain Vigilant

Indian law enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Gujarat Police, are working together to combat drug smuggling through the sea route. With upcoming elections adding to the need for heightened security, these agencies are determined to achieve the Prime Minister’s vision of a drug-free India.

The recent arrests and seizures have provided valuable information to Indian authorities, assisting them in identifying the key players and methods used in this covert network. By exposing this secret trade, law enforcement agencies hope to disrupt the operations and safeguard the country from destabilization.

Source: Hindustan Times

Mentionable points

  • Pakistani fishermen are smuggling drugs to India through the Arabian Sea
  • The network operates on code words, desperation, and surgical precision
  • Haji Salim, based in Karachi, is believed to be responsible for 70% of drug smuggling into India
  • Boats loaded with drugs originate from methamphetamine laboratories in Pakistan
  • Indian authorities are coordinating efforts to combat drug smuggling in the sea route
  • Intelligence inputs and vigilance are key in identifying and intercepting drug-carrying boats
  • The recent arrests and seizures have provided valuable information on the network’s modus operandi

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