Just a day prior to 26/11, when we pay tribute to those who were killed during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, the Indian Coast guard (ICG) of Andaman and Nicobar Command, on 25 November 24, created history in the maritime domain of India by apprehending a Myanmarese Fishing boat named ‘Soe Wai Yan Htoo’ in Andaman seas. The boat was carrying approximately 5,500 kg of prohibited drug Methamphetamine along with one portable Inmarsat Satellite phone.
The anticipated value of the haul is expected to be in the range of thousands of crores, in international market. The lessons we learnt on 26/11 and the mechanisms we have put in place since, are largely responsible for the success displayed by the ICG.
Based on the pattern of operations in the past, likely areas of Andaman Sea were kept under surveillance. As part of heightened surveillance measures, Headquarters Andaman and Nicobar Command maintains regular maritime aircraft missions.
On 23 November, 2024, an Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft whilst on reconnaissance sortie detected a boat which was operating in a suspicious manner. The information was passed on to the Joint Operation Centre (JOC)/HQANC, which subsequently deployed Fast Patrol Vessel ICG Ship Aruna Asaf Ali captained by Commandant (JG) Ankit Sharma from Sri Vijaya Puram to intercept the suspicious Myanmarese boat. The ICG ship, despite the prevailing rough sea conditions, proceeded with best speed to intercept the suspicious Myanmarese boat.
The ICG Ship intercepted the Myanmarese boat and shadowed till early morning of 24 November, 2024. The ICG ship’s crew boarded the suspicious Myanmarese boat for investigation at 0630 hrs on 24 November, 2024 when the boat was 8 nm off Barren Island in Indian Territorial waters. The six-boat crew onboard were identified as Myanmarese nationals. During inspection of the boat, the ICG ship crew detected approx. 5500 kg of white crystalline compound onboard along with one portable Inmarsat Satellite phone.
The white crystalline compound was anticipated to be contraband and hence the boat was apprehended. Subsequently, the boat was brought to Sri Vijaya Puram by 0500hrs on 25 November 2024 for further investigation.The initial inspection by local police and drug enforcement agencies at Sri Vijaya Puram identified the white compound as pure Methamphetamine worth thousands of crores in international Market.
The apprehension is one of the biggest drug hauls in Indian maritime history.The Andaman and Nicobar Command remains vigilant and committed to ensuring the safety of the Andamans waters. Enhanced patrolling and intelligence-sharing continue to play a vital role in combating such crimes.
Team Bharatshakti
