Cracking Down on Cartels: Inside India’s High-Stakes Operation Sagar Manthan

Massive Drug Cartel Crackdown: The Full Story of ‘Operation Sagar Manthan’ and the Infamous Haji Salim

In an ongoing battle against international drug trafficking, India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), under the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and in coordination with the Indian Navy and Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), launched a sweeping maritime operation named Operation Sagar Manthan. This strategic endeavor aims to dismantle the vast drug network run by Haji Salim, a notorious figure in South Asia’s narcotics trade, leading to one of the largest drug seizures in Indian history. The operation is still active, with authorities continuing their relentless efforts to fully dismantle the network and apprehend all involved.

The Background of Haji Salim

Haji Salim, also known by aliases such as Haji Ali, is a formidable name in global drug trafficking circles. Dubbed the “Lord of Drugs,” Salim’s criminal operations span decades and traverse multiple countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. He is believed to be the mastermind behind a series of sophisticated smuggling rings that utilize maritime routes to transport substantial quantities of drugs into India and beyond. Salim’s operations are known for their secrecy and scale, often involving elaborate decoys, hidden compartments in cargo, and unregistered vessels to evade detection.

Haji Salim’s network is deeply entrenched in the underworld, leveraging powerful connections that ensure his enterprises remain formidable despite international law enforcement efforts. According to reports, his influence extends into legitimate businesses, making it difficult to trace his direct involvement. His operations frequently disguise illegal shipments within otherwise lawful consignments, as evident from seizures bearing labels such as “Ras Awad Foods Co., produce of Pakistan”.

The Mechanisms of His Operations

Salim’s modus operandi involves deploying unregistered dhows and fishing boats that navigate high-seas routes, particularly those originating from Iranian and Pakistani ports such as Chabahar. These vessels typically make contact with local fishing boats for mid-sea cargo transfers to evade detection by authorities. Communication is maintained using Thuraya satellite phones and multiple mobile devices, ensuring that instructions can be issued remotely and adjusted based on real-time surveillance feedback.

Reports indicate that Salim’s smuggling fleet often carries multiple consignments to diversify risk. This strategy ensures that even if one shipment is intercepted, the loss remains a manageable setback rather than a catastrophic failure. The use of offshore accounts and complex financial structures adds another layer of protection for his vast earnings.

The Operation Unfolds: How ‘Sagar Manthan’ Was Carried Out

Operation Sagar Manthan was a result of meticulous intelligence gathering and strategic coordination between various Indian enforcement agencies. Acting on information about an imminent narcotics shipment, the Indian Navy deployed its advanced P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft. This aircraft, known for its superior surveillance capabilities, played a crucial role in locating and tracking the suspicious vessel as it navigated through the Indian Ocean【8†source】.

The targeted dhow, which had reportedly embarked from Iran, was intercepted approximately 60 nautical miles from India’s exclusive economic zone. The operation involved a swift pursuit by an Indian Navy warship and the eventual boarding of the vessel by NCB and ATS officers. The search revealed a staggering haul of narcotics:

• 3,110 kg of charas (hashish)
• 158.3 kg of methamphetamine
• 24.6 kg of heroin

This seizure, valued at an estimated INR 1,300–2,000 crore, is among India’s largest offshore drug confiscations by volume【8†source】【9†source】.

Arrests and Ongoing Investigation

Five foreign nationals, whose identities were not disclosed at the time, were detained and later arrested in connection with the operation. Alongside the drugs, the officers confiscated a Thuraya satellite phone and four mobile devices. These items are now pivotal in the ongoing investigation as they may contain evidence of communications linking Salim’s network to the logistics of the shipment.

The packaging of the narcotics, marked with the branding of a Pakistani company, further underscored the transnational scope of the operation. This discovery has amplified calls for enhanced maritime surveillance and greater collaboration between neighboring countries to curb cross-border smuggling【9†source】.

Notable Drug Seizures in Recent Years

India has witnessed a surge in drug interceptions in recent years, underscoring the scale of narcotics trafficking affecting the region. In 2023, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) made headlines by seizing over 2,990 kg of heroin at Gujarat’s Mundra Port, hidden in containers declared as talc powder. Similarly, in April 2024, authorities intercepted a shipment of 1,700 kg of methamphetamine on the high seas, demonstrating how syndicates like Salim’s adapt and scale up their operations.

Other significant busts include:

• 2,525 kg of heroin in June 2023 at Kandla Port, Gujarat, estimated at INR 15,000 crore.
• 800 kg of cocaine in February 2024 near Kochi, tied to a Colombian cartel collaboration.
• 1,400 kg of synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine, seized in March 2024 during a coordinated operation in the Andaman Sea.
• 4,000 kg of various illicit drugs seized in connection with Operation Sagar Manthan over the past year.

These operations reflect an evolving strategy by Indian law enforcement to combat both traditional routes and emerging smuggling methods.

Implications for Regional and Global Security

The ongoing nature of Operation Sagar Manthan highlights both the reach of Salim’s cartel and the increasing sophistication of drug smuggling networks in the Indian Ocean region. Experts in security and international relations have pointed out that the Arabian Sea and the surrounding waters have become critical conduits for trafficking routes, often exploited by networks operating out of conflict-ridden areas such as Afghanistan.

The Indian government, in its post-operation briefing, emphasized the need for regional cooperation to tackle such threats. “This operation sends a strong message that India is not only aware of the challenges posed by international drug syndicates but is prepared to take decisive action against them,” an NCB official noted.

Haji Salim: Current Status and Future Challenges

Despite the successful interception, Haji Salim remains at large. Sources suggest he operates under multiple identities and has managed to evade arrest by frequently relocating. Intelligence agencies continue to monitor suspected safe havens, which may include regions in Iran and Pakistan where he is believed to hold significant influence.

As the operation continues, the NCB and allied agencies are working to leverage international partnerships, potentially seeking assistance from INTERPOL. The goal is to dismantle Salim’s network comprehensively and prevent similar large-scale smuggling attempts in the future.

Conclusion

Operation Sagar Manthan stands as a testament to India’s growing capabilities in counter-narcotics operations and maritime security. While the capture of Haji Salim himself remains a challenge, the ongoing seizure efforts have significantly disrupted his operations and sent a clear warning to other drug kingpins in the region. Moving forward, strengthened alliances, advanced surveillance technology, and strategic operations will be essential to maintaining momentum against international drug trafficking.