The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized a boat carrying 6,000 kg of banned methamphetamine with six crew members from Myanmar near Andaman and Nicobar Islands in a major anti-narcotics operation. An official gave this information on Monday।
These drugs were found packed in about 3,000 packets weighing two kilograms each, which are worth several crores of rupees in the international market. The defense official said that on November 23, during a routine patrol, the pilot of a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft observed suspicious activity of a fishing boat near Barron Island. Barren Island is about 150 kilometers from Port Blair.
“The boat was warned and asked to reduce its speed and meanwhile the pilot informed the Andaman and Nicobar Command,” the officer said. “Immediately our nearest fast patrol vessel proceeded towards Barren Island and took the fishing boat to Port Blair on 24th November for further investigation.”
“We have arrested six Myanmar nationals from the boat,” the defense official said. The methamphetamine is believed to be smuggled into India and its neighboring countries. We have informed Andaman and Nicobar Police for joint investigation.
This is not the first time that such contraband, smuggled material has been seized in Indian waters in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Similar narcotics were seized from foreign ships in 2019 and 2022 when they were trying to enter Indian waters. Methamphetamine is mainly used for intoxication.
