Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 08 July 2024
The drug problem in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is escalating at an alarming rate. Recent raids by the A&N Police have resulted in the seizure of large quantities of drugs in Port Blair. Furthermore, drugs have been found on criminals in North and Middle Andaman Districts.
Unclaimed drugs suspected to have washed ashore were also recovered in Nicobar District, highlighting the increasing penetration of narcotics in these regions. The islands have witnessed the devastating effects of methamphetamine, which washed ashore in Little Andaman and Car Nicobar, spreading addiction among the youth.
Criminals are importing drugs from the mainland and selling them to the youth, fostering addiction and generating income for themselves. This growing menace necessitates urgent action to protect the isolated inhabited islands from drug infiltration. Islands such as Great Nicobar, Kamorta, Katchal, Chowra, Teressa, and Car Nicobar are particularly vulnerable and need to be safeguarded from this escalating issue.
These islands have limited medical facilities, and the youth are more susceptible to experimenting with drugs due to a lack of recreational activities. To combat this, it is crucial to prevent the entry of drugs into these islands. Deploying sniffer dogs at ports during the arrival of ships from other islands is a necessary step.
Inspecting cargo imported from Port Blair is essential to prevent any seepage of drugs into these vulnerable islands. Recently, the Andaman and Nicobar Police added four K9s, increasing the total number from nine to thirteen. The police now have four narcotics detection dogs that can be deployed to remote islands like Great Nicobar to detect and stop drug seepage through cargo and smugglers.
During the arrival of ships, every passenger’s luggage should be checked with the help of narcotics detection dogs to deter any attempts to carry drugs. Additionally, thorough inspections of individuals embarking the ships are necessary to prevent the smuggling of drugs that wash ashore.
Police personnel must be present at all times during the ship’s presence at the jetty, and everyone, including the crew, should be thoroughly checked. Special emphasis should be placed on inspecting cargo with sniffer dogs during both loading and unloading to prevent drug seepage.
There is growing concern within the community in Great Nicobar that the youth have begun using drugs. If these measures are not implemented, the community will face severe consequences from drug addiction in the future.