In a significant achievement, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized more than 5 tonnes of drugs from a fishing boat in the Andaman waters, according to defence officials. They added that this is likely the largest drug haul ever carried out by the Indian Coast Guard.
ICG personnel with seized drugs | NDTV
Defence officials said, "Indian Coast Guard has apprehended a huge consignment of around five tonnes of drugs from a fishing boat in the Andaman waters. This is likely to be the biggest ever drug haul by the Indian Coast Guard ever."
Seizure Resulting from Coordinated Air and Sea Operation
On November 23, during routine patrolling, the pilot of an ICG Dornier aircraft observed suspicious activity involving a fishing trawler near Barren Island, according to Defence officials. In response, the ICG launched a coordinated air and sea operation targeting the Myanmarese fishing trawler, named "Soe Wai Yan Htoo." The Coast Guard successfully seized approximately 6,000 kg of methamphetamine, marking India's largest maritime drug seizure. The drugs, packed into about 3,000 packets weighing 2 kg each, are valued in the international market at several crores of rupees.
"The trawler was warned and asked to lower its speed and in the meantime, the pilot alerted the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Immediately, our nearby fast patrolling vessels rushed towards Barren Island and towed the fishing trawler to Port Blair on November 24 for further investigation," the official said.
Six Myanmar Nationals Arrested
The officials also stated that they had detained six nationals from Myanmar. "We have arrested six Myanmarese nationals from the fishing trawler and it is believed that the Methamphetamine was meant for India and its neighbouring countries. We have informed the Andaman and Nicobar Police for joint interrogation," the defence official said.
This is not the first instance of such a seizure of banned contraband in Indian waters near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Similar drug hauls were made in 2019 and 2022 when foreign vessels attempted to enter Indian waters.
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