Source IANS: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are increasingly under the radar of global drug cartels after a massive seizure of methamphetamine worth ₹30,000 crore placed the archipelago squarely in the middle of South Asia’s narcotics map. Security agencies say the incident reflects how international syndicates backed by Pakistan’s ISI have expanded their smuggling routes from Punjab and Gujarat into the southern seas, turning Kerala and the Andamans into critical transit points.
For decades, the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate has dominated India’s narcotics trade, controlling nearly 95 per cent of the market. While Punjab once served as the main corridor for heroin from Pakistan, tighter surveillance and crackdowns forced cartels to explore alternative maritime routes. Sri Lanka has since become the new landing hub, with consignments ferried across the sea into southern India and, increasingly, through the waters around the Andaman Islands.
Methamphetamine, or meth, has emerged as the drug of choice, driven by its soaring demand both within India and in international markets such as Thailand. Officials say Dawood’s key operative Haji Salim manages operations in South India, with Kerala serving as the principal entry point. Once shipments land, networks extend across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, with some consignments smuggled further to the northeast or out of the country.
The Andamans, located strategically at the gateway of the Malacca Straits, provide cartels with both proximity and cover. Intelligence reports suggest that international cartels are increasingly testing the islands as drop-off points, moving consignments through fishing vessels and container traffic. The ₹30,000 crore seizure was described by agencies as a “wake-up call,” showing how the islands could be used for large-scale narcotics logistics.
In response, security forces have stepped up monitoring of maritime borders and coastal activity in the islands. Yet officials acknowledge the challenges of policing vast stretches of sea, coupled with the sophisticated tactics of traffickers who are now transporting smaller quantities to evade detection.
The trade has implications beyond smuggling. Agencies believe proceeds from narcotics are being funneled into terror operations against India, making it both a criminal and national security threat. With the islands sitting at the crossroads of major sea lanes, the battle against narcotics in the Andamans is seen as vital to cutting off funding streams for hostile networks.
The bust has not only exposed the scale of cartel operations but also underlined the vulnerability of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to international crime. For the archipelago, long known for its natural beauty and strategic importance, the fight against narco-trafficking is now part of its evolving security narrative.
