Elon Musk’s satellite internet service was used by individuals who trafficked meth into the country, a high-ranking officer said
Indian police will seek information from Starlink after smugglers allegedly used the satellite service provided by Elon Musk’s company to bring $4.25 billion worth of methamphetamines into the country, Reuters has reported.
Last week, security forces at India’s Andaman and Nicobar islands discovered 6,000kg of meth on a boat, which had arrived from Myanmar, in the largest seizure of its kind to date. Six Myanmar nationals were detained over the suspected contraband.
The smugglers "were using Starlink [for navigation] since their journey started from Myanmar,” Hargobinder S. Dhaliwal, a top police officer in the Andaman Islands, told Reuters on Tuesday.
The officer told the agency of his intention to contact Elon Musk’s company and seek information about who bought the device and when, as well as about its usage history.
“This [case] is different because it is bypassing all the legal channels. They directly operated [phones] with satellites, creating a Wi-Fi hotspot,” Dhaliwal explained.
Law enforcement authorities are now investigating whether any local or international criminal networks were involved in the meth smuggling ring. The probe will approach the case from all angles, the officer said.
Starlink has yet to comment on the incident. However, it previously said its coverage in territorial waters is contingent on government approval.
The smugglers were caught using Starlink as the US company is edging closer to launching in India.
Last month, Indian Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said Musk’s firm was seeking security clearance to offer satellite broadband services in the country from New Delhi. “When you check all the boxes, you get the license. If [Starlink] do that, we will be very happy,” Scindia said.
This followed a decision by the Indian government in October to allot spectrum for satellite broadband administratively, instead of staging an auction. Musk’s rival, Indian telecom billionaire Mukesh Ambani, had previously insisted that an auction should take place.
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