New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted searches at 13 locations in Tamil Nadu and Mizoram in connection with the seizure of over six kg of highly addictive methamphetamine from a Myanmarese boat near Barren Island in the Bay of Bengal in November 2024.
The searches were carried out at eight places in Tamil Nadu and five in Mizoram, a statement issued by the NIA said.
Several digital devices were seized during the coordinated operation by NIA teams for further forensic analysis to uncover the complete network involved, it said.
During the searches, Rs 71 lakh, USD 53,500 and Myanmar Kyat 1,50,000 were recovered in Chennai, while Rs 22.38 lakh and Rs 20.73 lakh were recovered from locations in Champhai and Aizawl, respectively, the probe agency said.
The case originated following the seizure of the illegal drug methamphetamine along with a satellite phone and other articles from the Myanmarese boat near Barren Island in November 2024, which prompted Andaman and Nicobar Police to register a case.
Six Myanmar nationals were arrested and subsequently chargesheeted by Andaman and Nicobar Police on March 27, 2025 under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and the Foreigners Act, 1946.
The investigation was taken over by the NIA, which re-registered the case on August 11, 2025.
The accused are currently in judicial custody.
The searches form part of ongoing efforts to unravel a larger transnational narcotics trafficking network and identify other individuals involved in the conspiracy, the NIA said.
The investigation aims to establish connections between the seized consignment of Methamphetamine and wider international drug syndicates, it said.
Further probe is underway to identify and apprehend additional individuals involved in the narcotics trafficking network, the NIA added. PTI AKV RT RT
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