Investigators looking into one of India’s significant recent maritime cocaine seizures have discovered hidden electronic tracking devices within the drug consignment. Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad officials reveal that this finding suggests the involvement of a sophisticated international drug trafficking network. The breakthrough occurred during the sampling and seizure process of the cocaine under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Four Apple AirTags and two Garmin GPS devices were uncovered concealed inside the brick-shaped packets of cocaine, according to ATS officials. These devices are believed to have been used by the supplier to monitor the movement of the consignment during transportation. The ongoing investigation is linked to the seizure of nearly 119 kg of cocaine off the Mundra coast in Gujarat’s Kutch district.
The seizure, valued at around Rs 1,150 crore in the international market, originated from a joint operation by the Gujarat ATS and the Indian Coast Guard. The agencies intercepted suspicious activity involving the cargo vessel ‘MV Europe’ near Mundra’s outer anchorage area. During the operation, several bags were allegedly thrown overboard from the vessel, leading to the recovery of five floating bags containing cocaine packets.
Tanzanian national Juma Nasir Omar, a crew member aboard the vessel, was arrested during the operation. He disclosed that the cocaine had been hidden in the ship’s motor room in November 2025 as per the instructions of handlers associated with an international trafficking network. Another Tanzanian crew member, Ngingite Nassoro Jumanne, reportedly jumped into the sea during the operation and remains missing.
Two suspected receivers of the consignment from Delhi have been detained by the ATS with the help of local police. The role of all the accused and their connections to international narcotics syndicates are under investigation. Forensic analysis of the recovered AirTags and GPS devices is ongoing to reconstruct the shipment’s route and identify individuals involved in the trafficking chain.
