(Commonwealth_India) In a significant operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) made what is believed to be the largest drug seizure in its history, confiscating a massive consignment of drugs from a fishing boat in the waters near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to reports from PTI, the operation took place on November 23, when the ICG’s Dornier aircraft, conducting routine patrols over the region, noticed a fishing trawler displaying suspicious movements near Barren Island, located approximately 150 kilometers from Port Blair.
The Coast Guard intervened immediately and apprehended the crew of the fishing vessel, consisting of six Myanmarese nationals. Upon inspection, the authorities discovered that the boat was carrying 6,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, a highly addictive and illicit drug. The authorities carefully concealed the drugs in 3,000 individual packets, each containing 2 kilograms. India and possibly other neighbouring countries were the intended destinations of the haul. The drugs, primarily used recreationally or as performance enhancers, have a staggering market value of several crores of rupees in international markets, highlighting the scale of the operation and the risks associated with drug trafficking in the region.
After detecting the vessel’s suspicious movement, the Coast Guard pilot immediately issued a warning to the trawler and instructed it to reduce its speed. The Andaman and Nicobar Command received an alert at this point, prompting the deployment of fast patrolling vessels to intercept the vessel. On November 24, they towed the fishing trawler to Port Blair, where they initiated further investigations and proceedings.
This massive drug bust marks a significant milestone in the fight against drug trafficking in the region and is likely the largest haul ever recorded by the Indian Coast Guard, as noted by defense officials. Security agencies see it as part of a broader pattern of increased vigilance and cooperation in combating drug smuggling, particularly in the strategically located Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The recent operation is especially noteworthy given that it comes just months after another major drug seizure in the region. In that instance, the Andaman and Nicobar Police had destroyed drugs worth Rs 475 crore, including nearly 238 kg of methamphetamine, 67 kg of ganja, over a kilogram of cocaine, and other substances like charas, codeine-based syrup, and alprazolam tablets. This seizure further emphasized the region’s role as a potential hotspot for drug trafficking and the increasing efforts to curb such illegal activities.
The Indian Coast Guard’s successful operation demonstrates not only their heightened operational readiness but also the growing collaboration between various defense and law enforcement agencies to tackle the challenges posed by international drug smuggling networks. As the global trade in illicit drugs continues to be a major security concern, the authorities’ vigilance and swift response have helped prevent a substantial amount of harmful substances from entering Indian and neighboring markets.
