Wed Apr 02 06:58:54 UTC 2025: ## Indian Navy Seizes Over 2,500 kg of Narcotics in Western Indian Ocean
**Mumbai, April 2, 2025** – The Indian Navy announced today that its frigate, INS Tarkash, successfully intercepted and seized over 2,500 kilograms of narcotics in the Western Indian Ocean. The operation, conducted on March 31st, involved acting on intelligence provided by Indian Navy P8I maritime patrol aircraft regarding suspicious vessels engaged in illicit activities.
INS Tarkash, deployed in the region since January 2025 for maritime security operations, located and boarded a suspect dhow. A subsequent search revealed approximately 2,386 kg of hashish and 121 kg of heroin concealed within the vessel’s cargo holds.
The Ministry of Defence stated that the successful operation highlights INS Tarkash’s crucial role in maintaining maritime security in the region. The ship is currently supporting Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, part of the Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), and is also participating in the multinational Anzac Tiger operation. The seizure underscores India’s commitment to combating narcotics trafficking in the Western Indian Ocean.
First Piper 