In a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking, Police Station Aberdeen carried out two coordinated anti-drug raids in a single day on December 10, leading to the arrest of two alleged drug peddlers and the seizure of Methamphetamine in separate cases. The operations resulted in the recovery of a total of 18 grams of the banned substance, reinforcing the district police’s intensified focus on curbing the spread of drugs in the Islands.
According to police sources, the first raid was conducted following credible intelligence inputs regarding the movement of narcotics in the Lamba Line area. Acting swiftly on the information, a special team led by Inspector Vishal Ram, Station House Officer of PS Aberdeen, was constituted and deployed to the spot. The team intercepted a car at Lamba Line during the operation and, upon search, recovered seven grams of Methamphetamine from the possession of the driver.
The accused was identified as C. Sathya Priyan, 26, a resident of Dairy Farm. He was immediately taken into custody after the recovery, and a case was registered against him under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
On the same day, the police team carried out a second operation based on another specific input. This raid was conducted near Marine Hill, close to the Fisheries Training Centre. During the search, the team recovered 11 grams of Methamphetamine from the possession of another individual.
The second accused was identified as S. Sarat Kumar, 29, a resident of Nayashahar, Burmanallah. He was arrested on the spot, and a separate case was registered against him under the NDPS Act.
Both accused were subsequently produced before the competent court, which remanded them to judicial custody. Police officials stated that the two cases are being investigated independently to ascertain the source of the contraband and possible links to wider drug distribution networks operating in and around Sri Vijaya Puram.
The operations were carried out by a team comprising Sub-Inspector Bharat, Head Constable Sunil Singh Yadav, and Constables P. Mohd. Rafique, Jagdish Babu, Surender Singh Yadav, and Anup Majhi, under the leadership of the Station House Officer. The raids were conducted under the command of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, South Andaman, and under the overall supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police, South Andaman District.
Senior police officials said the twin seizures in a single day highlight the increasing reliance on intelligence-led policing to tackle the drug menace in the Islands. Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as “ice” or “crystal meth,” has been identified by enforcement agencies as a growing threat, particularly to youth, due to its highly addictive nature and serious health consequences.
The South Andaman District Police reiterated its commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance approach towards narcotics-related offences. Officials said sustained enforcement, combined with community cooperation, remains central to efforts aimed at preventing drugs from reaching vulnerable sections of society.
Police have once again appealed to the general public to come forward with information related to drug trafficking or any other illegal activities. Citizens can share inputs by dialling the emergency helpline 112 or by contacting the police control room numbers 03192-232100, 03192-236641, and 03192-232400. The police have assured that the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.
The latest action by PS Aberdeen is part of a broader district-wide campaign to disrupt drug supply chains and deter peddlers, as law enforcement agencies continue to tighten surveillance and conduct targeted operations across South Andaman.
