NIA raids 13 sites in Tamil Nadu and Mizoram in meth trafficking probe
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at 13 locations across Tamil Nadu and Mizoram on Wednesday (August 12, 2026), in connection with the seizure of more than 6,016 kg of methamphetamine from a Myanmarese boat near the Barren Islands in the Bay of Bengal in November 2024.
The searches covered eight locations in Tamil Nadu and five in Mizoram. According to the agency, the operation led to the seizure of several digital devices, ₹71 lakh in cash, $53,500, and 1,50,000 Myanmar Kyat in Chennai. Additionally, ₹22.38 lakh was recovered from Champhai and ₹20.73 lakh from Aizawl in Mizoram.
The case originated from the interception of the Myanmarese vessel near Barren Islands, which is part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. The seizure included the methamphetamine along with a satellite phone and other articles, prompting the Andaman and Nicobar police to register a case, the NIA said.
Six Myanmar nationals were arrested and charge-sheeted by the police on March 27, 2025, under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Foreigners Act. The NIA took over the investigation on August 11, 2025, and subsequently invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The accused persons are currently in judicial custody.
In a statement, the NIA said the searches are part of ongoing efforts to unravel a larger transnational narcotics trafficking network and identify other individuals involved in the conspiracy. The investigation aims to establish connections between the seized methamphetamine and wider international drug syndicates, the agency added.
This operation reflects the continued focus of Indian investigative agencies on disrupting cross-border drug trafficking routes. The Bay of Bengal has been a known corridor for narcotics smuggling from Southeast Asia, particularly Myanmar, which is a major source of methamphetamine. The Barren Islands, being remote, have been exploited by traffickers as a transit point.
The NIA's involvement underscores the seriousness of the case, given the scale of the contraband seized. The agency is known to handle cases with national security implications, and the invocation of the UAPA indicates that the investigation may extend beyond ordinary narcotics offences.
Experts suggest that such seizures are crucial in curbing the flow of synthetic drugs into India, which has seen a rise in methamphetamine use in recent years. The investigation is likely to continue with further searches and scrutiny of financial transactions to trace the network's funding and operations.
No further details were available at the time of writing, and the investigation is ongoing.
