Coast Guard seizes record 6K kg meth off Andaman

In a record-breaking anti-narcotics operation, the Indian Coast Guard seized a vessel, with six Myanmar crew, carrying 6,000 kg of methamphetamine, which is commonly used as a recreational or performance-enhancing drug, near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an official said on Monday.

The drugs were found packed in around 3,000 packets of 2 kg each, worth several crore rupees in the international market.

On November 23, the pilot of a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft, during routine patrolling, noticed a suspicious movement of a fishing trawler near the Barren Island, which is nearly 150 km from Port Blair, the Defence official said.

“The trawler was warned and asked to lower its speed. In the meantime, the pilot alerted the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Immediately, our nearby fast patrolling vessels rushed towards the Barren Island and towed the fishing trawler to Port Blair on November 24 for further investigation,” the official said.

“We have arrested six Myanmar nationals from the fishing trawler. It is suspected that the seized methamphetamine was meant for India and its neighbouring countries. We have informed the Police for joint interrogation,” the Defence official said.