Sri Vijaya Puram April 21: Illegal circulation of methamphetamine in the Attampahad area of South Andaman surfaced again after police intercepted a suspected drug deal and recovered 194 grams of the synthetic narcotic during a planned operation under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The seizure was carried out on 19 April 2026 near Attampahad following specific intelligence inputs about an alleged drug transaction scheduled in the evening hours. Police identified the accused as Ram Krishna Das, 62, resident of Manjery No.1, who was apprehended from the spot with two packets containing crystal-like substances suspected to be methamphetamine.
According to the operation details, information was received around 1430 hours that a person identified in inputs as Ram Chandra Das would be dealing in a large quantity of methamphetamine near Attampahad around 1800 hours. The input was formally communicated to senior supervisory officers, and a secret note was issued to initiate legal action under Section 42 of the NDPS Act, 1985.
A raiding team was constituted from Police Station Pahargaon under the supervision of Inspector Sahil Shamsuddin, SHO PS Pahargaon, with SI Manish Narayan, Head Constables Santosh Lal and K. Jayaraj, and Constable Samsudeen forming part of the operational unit. The team proceeded to the location with an investigation kit and electronic weighing machine in a departmental vehicle.
Two independent witnesses, Rajesh Pal Govind and Suraj Narayan from Garacharma, were also roped in to observe the search and seizure proceedings. By 1745 hours, the team reached Attampahad and maintained surveillance at the suspected spot.
At around 1840 hours, a man matching the description arrived at the location and identified himself as Ram Krishna Das. He was informed of the grounds of suspicion and his legal rights under Section 50 of the NDPS Act, including the option to be searched before a Gazetted Officer or Magistrate. The accused consented to a search at the spot in the presence of the SDPO (South Andaman).
During personal search, two transparent packets labelled as Pouch-I and Pouch-II were recovered, containing crystalline substances. A field test indicated the presence of methamphetamine. On electronic weighing, the packets measured 92 grams and 102 grams respectively, totalling 194 grams.
The contraband was sealed and seized at 1905 hours in the presence of witnesses. The accused was arrested at 1915 hours under Section 22(c) of the NDPS Act after completion of procedural formalities.
The operation was conducted under the overall supervision of SDPO South Andaman, Deependra Kumar Singh (DANIPS). Officials stated that the action followed all mandated legal safeguards, including documentation and witness verification.
Police also reiterated public advisory channels for reporting narcotics-related activity, sharing helpline numbers 112 (ERSS), 03192-232100 (Police Control Room), and 03192-236641 (SP (D) South Andaman Office), assuring confidentiality of informants.
While the investigation continues, the case has once again highlighted ongoing concerns over synthetic drug circulation in parts of South Andaman.
