Hutbay Police recovered 6.979 kilograms of crystalline methamphetamine during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in a jungle area near Dugong Creek, marking a significant seizure under the ongoing enforcement drive against Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The recovery was made on January 16 after police received specific information regarding the concealment of suspicious green-coloured packets believed to contain narcotic substances. Acting on the input, the Station House Officer of Police Station Hutbay initiated immediate action and mobilised a raiding team to verify the information and conduct a search of the identified location.
The police team proceeded to the site by private dinghy, navigating the coastal and forested terrain leading to Dugong Creek near Pagla Mundi. To ensure transparency and adherence to legal procedures, two local PRI representatives joined the team as independent witnesses. The search team was equipped with a drug detection kit and an electronic weighing machine to facilitate on-site verification and documentation.
Upon reaching the location, the police carried out a detailed search of the surrounding jungle area. During the operation, seven suspicious packets were discovered partially buried in sand and concealed under dry leaves near the roots of a large tree. The placement of the packets indicated deliberate efforts to hide the contraband in a remote and less accessible area.
Preliminary testing of the contents using the drug detection kit confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine. The recovered contraband was weighed on the spot and found to be 6.979 kilograms. All legal and procedural formalities were followed at the site, with the seized narcotic substances sealed in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and the independent witnesses.
A case has been registered against unknown persons under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Further investigation is underway to identify those involved in the concealment, transportation and intended distribution of the contraband. Police are examining possible supply routes and linkages to determine how the substance reached the location and whether it was intended for onward movement.
Officials noted that the seizure forms part of sustained efforts by the Andaman and Nicobar Police to disrupt narcotics networks operating in and around the islands. The use of isolated jungle locations for concealing drugs has been identified as a recurring tactic, prompting increased surveillance and intelligence-led operations in coastal and forested areas.
Police have appealed to members of the public to share information related to criminal or illegal activities, including drug trafficking, through designated helpline numbers. Authorities have assured that the identity of informants will be kept confidential, emphasising the role of community participation in strengthening enforcement efforts.
The recovery highlights both the challenges posed by the islands’ geography and the importance of coordinated field operations in intercepting illicit substances before they enter local circulation. As investigations continue, police officials reiterated their focus on sustained vigilance and intelligence gathering to curb the movement of narcotic drugs across the region.
