A 44-year-old resident of R.B. Nagar, Ward No. 02, Little Andaman, was arrested on February 24 morning after 21 cannabis plants were found at his residence during an anti-narcotics operation. The action followed intelligence received on February 20 regarding illegal cannabis cultivation at the premises. The case was registered as FIR No. 0015/2026 at Hut Bay Police Station under Section 20(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The operation was conducted under the direction of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Swaraj Dweep. Independent witnesses and the Tehsildar of Little Andaman participated in the operation as a designated Gazetted Officer to ensure procedural compliance.
Upon arrival, the suspect was informed of his legal rights in the presence of the Gazetted Officer before a thorough search of the premises was carried out. During the search, 21 cannabis plants were discovered concealed inside a cream-colored half-cut jerrycan, hidden among the branches of a backyard coconut tree.
Each plant was measured and weighed on-site using an electronic scale. Heights of the plants ranged from 13 cm to 49 cm, and individual weights varied between 0.5 grams and 4 grams. The total weight of the seized plants, including flags, was recorded at 28.8 grams.
The arrest was carried out following the completion of all legal procedures under Section 20(a)(i) of the NDPS Act. The case remains under investigation to determine the full extent of involvement and any potential links to larger illegal cultivation networks.
Officials confirmed that the operation was intelligence-driven, triggered by specific information about illegal cannabis cultivation in R.B. Nagar. The seizure is part of ongoing monitoring of narcotics-related activities on Little Andaman and the surrounding islands.
According to records, the plants were cultivated in a manner intended to conceal their presence, using a jerrycan placed among the coconut tree branches in the backyard. Authorities documented the location, measured the plants, and recorded their weight before confiscation. Legal protocols were observed throughout, including the presence of independent witnesses and a Gazetted Officer to maintain compliance with statutory procedures.
The operation also involved registration of the case, seizure of the plants, and arrest of the accused. The police have stated that all steps were conducted under statutory provisions of the NDPS Act, which governs the cultivation, possession, and distribution of narcotic substances in India.
This arrest is part of a broader effort to enforce anti-narcotics regulations across Union Territories such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Citizens have been advised to report any suspicious activity related to narcotics to local authorities to prevent illegal cultivation and distribution.
Authorities noted that investigations will continue to identify any connections between the accused and larger networks involved in cannabis cultivation. The legal process will also determine the subsequent course of action, including prosecution under the NDPS Act.
The incident underscores the continuing enforcement of narcotics laws in Little Andaman, with legal measures applied in response to intelligence-based information. All actions, including seizure and arrest, followed prescribed procedures to maintain transparency and adherence to the law.
The total weight of the seized cannabis plants, 28.8 grams, along with the number of individual plants, forms the basis of the ongoing case under Section 20(a)(i) of the NDPS Act. The accused remains in custody, and further investigation is underway.
