Seized Myanmarese boat carried as much drugs as ICG confiscated in 47 years

In their 47-year history, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized a total of 12.85 tonnes of narcotic substances, nearly half of which (6 tonnes) was seized this week from a single Myanmarese fishing vessel that was lurking in the Andaman Sea, in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This unprecedented haul of Crystal Methamphetamine (valued at Rs. 27,500 crore or $USD 3.27 billion, as per modest estimates) was made after a coordinated air-sea operation amid rough seas, while a potential cyclonic storm brewed in the Bay of Bengal, off India's southeast coast. 

As per conservative estimates, Meth is valued at Rs. 5 crore/kg ($0.58 million/kg), which puts the latest seizure value at Rs. 27,500 crore ($3 billion). For perspective, this sum (Rs. 27,500 crore) is more than the cost of the Indian indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant (approx Rs. 21,000cr), the biggest and most sophisticated surface warship built in India. Rs. 27,000crore is also more than twice the annual budget of the Indian Space agency ISRO (which hovers around Rs. 12,500 crore/year). Some estimates say that Meth costs Rs. 10 crore/kg or more.

The record-breaking haul underscores India’s growing role in combating transnational drug trafficking and highlights the complexities of safeguarding the nation’s maritime borders. This haul gains also significance because it took place in an extremely challenging and vast geography, where there are more than 550 islands as part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. This operation, conducted over two days, involved the ICG's air and sea assets working in perfect coordination to intercept the foreign vessel.

Rampant flow of drugs from India's immediate neighbourhood  

India’s strategic location between the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran) and the Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand)—two of the world’s largest illicit opium-producing regions, has made it a transit and consumption hub. The aforementioned regions in India's vicinity feed a network of transnational crime syndicates that use land and maritime routes to smuggle contraband across borders. 

The maritime domain, with its vast stretches of unpatrolled waters, presents unique challenges for enforcement agencies. Smugglers exploit these routes using sophisticated techniques and technology, such as satellite communication and unregistered vessels, to avoid detection. 

Presence of Myanmarese vessels in Andaman Sea & ICG's heightened vigil 

Recent incidents of Myanmarese/Rohingya fishing vessels poaching in the Andaman Seas, within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, have led to heightened vigil by Indian agencies. According to the Indian Coast Guard, the Andaman Seas were kept under strict surveillance owing to recent inputs from the joint interrogation of an apprehended poacher. 

Also read: India`s largest drug bust: 5 tonnes of Meth seized by Coast Guard off Andamans

This operation is ICG's third major anti-narcotics breakthrough in the Andaman Sea in recent years. In September 2019, the ICG apprehended a Myanmarese vessel carrying 1,160 kilogramme of ketamine worth Rs. 300 crore ($33.5 million). Three months later, another boat was intercepted with 371 kg of methaqualone valued at Rs. 185 crore ($20.7 million). These operations reflect the increasing reliance of drug cartels on maritime routes to evade land-based enforcement. 

Recap of the latest operation

The operation began on Saturday, November 23, when a routine surveillance flight by an ICG Dornier-228 aircraft detected an unidentified fishing boat in the Andaman Sea, within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Recognizing the potential threat, ICG swiftly launched a coordinated response and tasked fast patrol vessel ICGS Aruna Asaf Ali from Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair). Tracking the suspicious boat for hours, the ICG maintained overnight surveillance in preparation for a VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seize) operation at dawn. On Sunday, November 24, at 6:30 AM, the crew intercepted the vessel, later identified as ‘Soe Wai Yan Htoo’, registered in Myanmar. 

Manned by six crew members, the boat was carrying several gunny sacks, giving rise to suspicion. Thereafter, the vessel was towed to Sri Vijaya Puram harbor for a thorough investigation, where authorities uncovered 222 bags filled with crystalline methamphetamine, weighing a total of 6,016.87 kg. In addition to the drugs, the ICG seized an INMARSAT satellite phone and Myanmar currency worth 633,850 Kyat (approx Rs. 25,000).