Sri Vijaya Puram: The North & Middle Andaman District Police intensified their anti-drug operations this week, conducting two major raids that led to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of more than 1.6 kilograms of illegal ganja.
The first operation took place on July 14 during routine patrolling in Ward No. 2, Shantipur. Officers from Billiground Police Station spotted a man attempting to avoid police presence. Upon interception and inspection of the bag he was carrying, officials recovered approximately 1 kilogram of ganja. The individual, identified as Ravi Das, 40, a resident of Shantipur, Billiground, was arrested on the spot. Authorities confirmed that a case under the NDPS Act, 1985, was immediately registered and all legal procedures were followed.
A day later, acting on specific intelligence inputs, police personnel from Diglipur Police Station launched a targeted operation in the Laxmipur area. The initial raid led to the seizure of around 100 grams of ganja. Following further leads, the team swiftly expanded its search to Harinagar in Billiground, where a coordinated follow-up raid resulted in the recovery of another 500 grams of the illicit substance.
The accused in the second operation was identified as Saurav Das, 26, a former employee of Campbell Engineering, Haddo, and resident of Harinagar, Ward No. 5, Billiground. He was booked under provisions of the NDPS Act, and authorities are continuing with the legal proceedings.
Police officials confirmed that the combined seizures across both operations amount to more than 1.6 kilograms of ganja, one of the highest in recent months in the district. They reiterated their commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance stance toward the trafficking and distribution of narcotics in the islands.
These operations mark a significant win for the district’s law enforcement machinery, especially in a region where drug use and small-scale distribution have become increasingly concerning. The presence of narcotics, even in limited quantities, poses a severe risk in smaller communities with limited rehabilitation infrastructure and high youth exposure.
Authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to narcotics. Citizens have been encouraged to share information with the nearest police station or through the helpline numbers 100, 112, or 03192-273344. Officials assured that the identity of informants would remain confidential and that such contributions would be suitably rewarded.
The rising trend of drug-related arrests and seizures in the islands reflects the evolving nature of criminal networks, some of which are suspected to operate across districts and possibly link with mainland suppliers. Local police are reportedly working in coordination with intelligence agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to track these networks.
The latest operations reinforce the message that the district police are ramping up surveillance, intelligence gathering, and field operations in high-risk areas. With twin raids conducted in just two days, authorities have signalled a proactive stance in keeping narcotics out of circulation and curbing the social and health risks associated with drug abuse.
