What just happened? SpaceX's Starlink system offers online connectivity in the remotest parts of the world. One of the company's satellite devices was used to navigate Indian waters in November, which sounds like a good thing, except the boat in question was carrying $4.2 billion worth of methamphetamine. Now, Indian police have sent a legal demand to Elon Musk's firm demanding it reveal who purchased the device.
The Indian Coast Guard recorded its largest-ever drug bust last month when it reportedly seized 6,000kg (13,227 lb) of methamphetamine from a boat. Police estimated it was worth $4.25 billion.
The vessel was seized near the Andaman and Nicobar islands, a territory of India, as it traveled from Myanmar. It was operating under the guise of a legitimate fishing trawler, but it aroused suspicion after an aircraft on routine patrol spotted it near Barren Island, an uninhabited scuba diving hotspot. Police investigated, seized the boat, and arrested six Myanmar nationals.
Andaman and Nicobar officials have sent Starlink a police notice asking for details about the purchaser of one of its Starlink Mini internet devices that was found on the boat. It asks for the buyer's name and payment method, registration details, and where the device was used during the smugglers' time in international waters. The notice also asks for the mobile number and email registered to the Starlink account.
Starlink has spent years trying to secure licenses to operate in India. It appeared to have been successful last month when the country's telecom minister said Starlink was in the process of procuring clearances. The company has not yet secured these licenses, so it might be more willing than usual to help the authorities in this instance.
As reported by Reuters, sources say police sent a notice on December 4 under an Indian law that empowers authorities to seek information from companies in connection with an investigation.
In other Starlink news this week, a Ukrainian-American nonprofit organization submitted two filings to the FCC objecting to the company's proposal to put another 22,488 satellites into low-Earth orbit. It cites Elon Musk's alleged ties to Russia and the environmental impact among its reasons for opposing the plans.