Indian Coast Guard Seizes 6,000 Kg Of Methamphetamine Near Andaman Islands In Its 'Largest' Drug Bust

Indian Coast Guard seized a fishing vessel carrying 6,000 kg of methamphetamine near Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Six Myanmarese nationals were apprehended. The contraband, worth several crores, was packed in 3,000 packets.

In a major anti-narcotics operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized a fishing vessel carrying 6,000 kilograms of methamphetamine near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Six Myanmarese nationals aboard the vessel were apprehended, officials said on Monday. The contraband, worth several crores of rupees in the international market, was packed in around 3,000 packets, each weighing two kilograms.

According to news agency PTI, a defence official stated, "On November 23, the pilot of a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft, while on routine patrolling, noticed suspicious movement of a fishing trawler near Barren Island, around 150 km from Port Blair."  

"The trawler was warned and asked to lower its speed. In the meantime, the pilot alerted the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Immediately, nearby fast patrolling vessels rushed to Barren Island and towed the trawler to Port Blair on November 24 for further investigation," the official added.  

According to news agency ANI, a defence official said that this could be the largest drug haul by the Coast Guard, "Indian Coast Guard has apprehended a huge consignment of around five tonnes of drugs from a fishing boat in the Andaman waters. This is likely to be the biggest ever drug haul by the Indian Coast Guard. More details awaited."  

6 Crew Members To Handed Over To Andaman And Nicobar Police For Joint Interrogation

Preliminary investigations suggest that the methamphetamine was destined for India and neighbouring countries. Authorities have handed over the six crew members to the Andaman and Nicobar Police for joint interrogation, PTI reported.  

This is not the first time the Andaman and Nicobar waters have been used for drug trafficking. Similar seizures of banned substances were reported in 2019 and 2022, involving foreign vessels attempting to enter Indian waters.  

Methamphetamine, a synthetic drug, is primarily used recreationally or as a performance-enhancing substance.  

Further investigations are ongoing.