Indian Coast Guard detains Iranian-crewed vessel; smuggled cigarettes worth crores seized
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Indian Coast Guard intercepted a vessel with an Iranian crew within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), uncovering a significant smuggling operation. The boat, named Al Mukhtar, was found carrying 200 cartons of smuggled cigarettes, totaling around one lakh packets. The crew comprised four individuals, and the vessel has been detained, with both the boat and its crew taken into custody. Authorities are escorting the vessel to Porbandar for further investigation and collaboration with other agencies.
This operation highlights India's ongoing efforts to combat smuggling in its waters. It follows a previous intelligence-based mission on February 17th, involving the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad, underscoring a sustained approach to maritime security. The interception of Al Mukhtar is part of broader regional security initiatives aimed at curbing illegal activities and safeguarding economic interests.
The seizure emphasizes the challenges faced in securing trade routes against smuggling, which not only affects economies
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026