A&NI Police Busts Biggest Maritime Drug Trail In Joint Operation With Indian Coast Guard

In a major breakthrough, the Crime & Economic Offence Police  Station (C&EO), Andaman & Nicobar Police in coordination with the Indian  Coast Guard (ICG), seized approximately 6000 kilograms of  Methamphetamine (Narcotic drug) from a Myanmarese vessel in Andaman Sea.  On 25/11/2024, the Regional Headquarters of the Indian Coast  Guard informed the Police Station Crime & Economic Offence via landline  about the interception of a suspected trawler by ICG Ship  Aruna Asaf Ali. The vessel, suspected of carrying a large consignment of  narcotic substances, was manned by six Myanmarese nationals, who were  subsequently detained and brought to Sri Vijaya Puram for further  investigation and legal action.

The operation was the result of heightened surveillance and joint efforts from A&N Police and ICG to combat the narcotics and poaching menace in  the region. In recent times, the Andaman & Nicobar Police and the ICG have  been conducting joint operations, which include interrogations of  Myanmarese poachers and heightened vigilance following an increase  in sightings of Rohingya boats and Myanmarese poaching vessels in  the area. These proactive measures culminated in the “Biggest one  time seizure” of narcotics & psychotropic substance– Methamphetamine whose market value in the retail market is more than  36,000 crores.

The Andaman & Nicobar Police, in coordination with multiple security  and intelligence agencies, has implemented robust measures to safeguard  the region’s coastal security. Joint interrogations involving the Navy, Coast  Guard, Army, CID, Special Branch, Immigration and sister agencies are  routinely conducted to collect intelligence and understand the modus  operandi of foreign intruders, which includes, Exercise Sagar Kavach. The  latest exercise was conducted on 25th–26th October 2024. Similarly, Sea  Vigil Exercise- a nationwide coastal security drill aimed at ensuring  coordinated efforts across India’s coastline, held on 20th–21st November  2024 & Operation Sajag - a monthly operation led by the Police Marine  Force and Indian Coast Guard to verify the credentials of fishing vessels and  fishermen. The last operation was conducted on 17th October 2024. Additionally, Joint Coastal Patrolling (JCP) is conducted monthly,  where police personnel undergo practical training aboard Coast Guard  vessels in navigation, engine maintenance, patrolling, and surveillance  procedures.