Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 27 November 2024
On 26th November 2024, the Andaman and Nicobar Command held a press briefing regarding the recent seizure of approximately 6000 kg of Methamphetamine by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) from a Myanmarese vessel in Andaman waters. The Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, along with Director General of Police (DGP) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and other senior defence officials, attended the briefing.
The DGP informed the media that the seized drugs, valued at approximately Rs. 36,000 crore in the international market, were not meant for distribution within the Islands. According to the initial interrogation of the six arrested Myanmarese nationals, the drugs were intended for an international destination, not for the local market.
While the seizure of such a large quantity of drugs in Andaman waters is concerning, some national media outlets have reported that the drugs were possibly destined for Thailand. However, this has not been officially confirmed by any authority connected to the seizure.
The proliferation of drugs in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been a growing concern in recent years. Earlier, cannabis (ganja) was the primary issue, but since 2019, drugs like Methamphetamine have spread more widely among the youth. Recently, large quantities of unclaimed heroin were seized in Campbell Bay and authorities successfully apprehended a suspect with heroin in Sri Vijaya Puram. A thorough investigation into the heroin case led the police to Kolkata, where 780 grams of heroin smuggled from Sri Vijaya Puram was recovered.
In September 2023, during routine patrolling near Tillongchong Island, a black packet containing 1.1 kg of cocaine, valued at ₹16 crore, was found ashore by the police. The packet bore the image of Mexican drug lord El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco cartel, who has a $10 million reward on his head in USA and Mexico.
The proximity of Myanmar to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is considered a major factor in the rise of drug trafficking in the region. The recent seizure of such a large quantity of drugs from the waters near the Islands highlights the growing use of the sea route passing through these waters for smuggling drugs to international destinations.
The discovery of the cocaine packet bearing the image of El Mencho also suggests that major international cartels are operating in the vicinity. To prevent the Islands from becoming a hub for such activities, local security forces, including the defence and police, will need to remain vigilant and continue their efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.