The Andaman and Nicobar Police seized 1.106 kilograms of suspected narcotics from the jungle near Chuttan Beach in Hut Bay, Little Andaman, on August 30. The search operation, carried out on the basis of specific intelligence, was conducted under the supervision of senior police officials and with the presence of an Executive Magistrate to ensure transparency in the proceedings.
According to sources, the operation began around 12:45 pm when Inspector Pritam Behari, Station House Officer of Police Station Hut Bay, received information that a packet containing a white powdery substance had been hidden in the forest near Chuttan Beach by unidentified persons for illegal purposes. The intelligence was immediately relayed to Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Swaraj Dweep, who instructed the formation of a search team.
The team included Inspector Behari along with head constables and constables from the local unit, supported by Forensic Specialist Sumit Baroi. Recognising the sensitive nature of the operation, the presence of Executive Magistrate Ajoy Mandal, Tehsildar of Little Andaman, was requested to oversee the process. The team proceeded to the site near the Naval Gate at Chuttan Beach equipped with a drug detection kit, an investigation kit, and an electronic weighing machine.
A thorough jungle search led to the discovery of two suspicious packets hidden in bushes. The first, a rectangular transparent packet wrapped in cello tape, weighed 908 grams and was marked as P-1. The second, a silver foil packet weighing 198 grams, was marked as P-2. Together, the two packets accounted for a total of 1.106 kilograms. Tests conducted on the spot using the drug detection kit indicated the presence of cocaine or methaqualone, both of which fall under controlled substances prohibited for possession and trade.
Legal proceedings have since been initiated against unknown individuals, with investigations underway to determine the source of the narcotics, how they came to be hidden in the Chuttan Beach jungle, and who was responsible for attempting to smuggle or distribute them. Authorities are examining whether the concealed packets were part of a larger trafficking operation, given the strategic location of Hut Bay and its proximity to vulnerable coastal stretches.
The seizure underscores the ongoing challenges faced by enforcement agencies in curbing narcotics smuggling in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The territory’s remote geography and scattered islands make it susceptible to illegal trafficking activities, often carried out by organised groups seeking to exploit its coastline. Law enforcement agencies have stepped up surveillance in recent years, but seizures such as this highlight that the threat persists.
Officials stressed that vigilance and cooperation from the public remain key to tackling the narcotics menace. Investigators are expected to track supply chains and identify whether the recovered contraband was meant for local consumption or intended for further transit. With the probe still at an early stage, authorities are maintaining strict confidentiality around leads to ensure that suspects do not evade detection.
For residents of Little Andaman, the seizure serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by narcotics smuggling and the importance of community participation in supporting law enforcement. Police have reiterated their commitment to intensifying patrols and intelligence-based operations to safeguard the islands from the growing threat of drug trafficking.
