CHENNAI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted searches at 13 locations in Tamil Nadu and Mizoram in connection with the seizure of 6,016.87 kg of methamphetamine from a Myanmar-flagged vessel in the Andaman Sea in November 2024.The searches were carried out in the early hours at eight locations in Tamil Nadu and five locations in Mizoram as part of the NIA investigation into the incident. In Tamil Nadu, searches were carried out in Chennai and Madurai, according to sources.Indian Coast Guard’s maritime reconnaissance aircraft spotted a suspicious Myanmar-origin boat in the Andaman Sea on November 23, 2024. A sea-air coordinated operation led to the vessel being intercepted and six Myanmar nationals on board being apprehended.A subsequent joint search of the vessel resulted in the recovery of 6,016.87 kg of methamphetamine. The contraband was valued at approximately Rs 36,000 crore, according to the Coast Guard.The NIA subsequently registered RC-16/2025/NIA/DLI to investigate the wider network behind the trafficking of the massive consignment. The case is being heard before the NIA Special Court at Port Blair.Wednesday’s searches in Tamil Nadu and Mizoram are aimed at gathering further evidence and identifying the individuals and networks allegedly linked to the trafficking and movement of the methamphetamine consignment.
