Indian police to seek answers from Elon Musk’s Starlink after uncovering a massive drug smuggling operation involving the satellite internet service.
Authorities made their biggest drug bust to date, seizing over 6,000 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at Rs 360 billion from a Myanmar boat in Indian waters.
The police plan to ask Starlink for key details such as the buyer’s information, purchase date, and usage history of the device.
The Andaman and Nicobar police are gearing up to seek answers from Elon Musk’s Starlink after uncovering a massive drug smuggling operation involving the satellite internet service. Authorities made their biggest drug bust to date, seizing over 6,000 kilograms (13,000 pounds) of methamphetamine valued at Rs 360 billion ($4.25 billion) from a Myanmar boat in Indian waters last week.
The boat, carrying six Myanmar nationals, was intercepted near the Andaman Islands. What caught the police’s attention was the smugglers’ use of a Starlink Mini device to navigate through deep seas. This is the first time Starlink technology has been linked to such an operation in Indian waters.
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“This (case) is different because it is bypassing all the legal channels,” said Hargobinder S. Dhaliwal, a senior police officer in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands who is handling the case, reports Reuters. “They directly operated (phones) with satellite, creating a Wi-Fi hotspot.”
Starlink, known for providing satellite internet in remote areas, claims to offer coverage in international waters, but its operations in territorial waters require government approval. Dhaliwal added, “They (smugglers) were using Starlink since their journey started from Myanmar.”
The police plan to ask Starlink for key details such as the buyer’s information, purchase date, and usage history of the device.
The smugglers reportedly used the Starlink Mini, described by the company as a portable, compact kit that fits into a backpack.
Authorities are now investigating whether any local or international networks were involved in the smuggling ring. Dhaliwal emphasised that the investigation would approach the case from all angles.
This incident comes as Starlink is actively trying to expand its services in India. The company has been lobbying to secure satellite spectrum, facing stiff face-off with Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani who repeatedly opposed the move and urged spectrum auctions.
Drug trafficking on maritime routes has been on the rise in recent years. A United Nations report highlighted that methamphetamine seizures in East and Southeast Asia hit a record high of 190 tons in 2023.
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Ayushi Jain
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