Chennai, August 12: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted searches at 13 locations — eight in Tamil Nadu and five in Mizoram — as part of its probe into the seizure of over 6,016 kg of methamphetamine from a Myanmarese boat near the Barren Islands in November 2024, the agency said.
Scope of searches and recoveries
The searches, carried out on August 12, yielded several digital devices and cash in multiple currencies. In Chennai, officials recovered ₹71 lakh in cash, $53,500 and 1,50,000 Myanmar Kyat. Separate recoveries included ₹22.38 lakh from Champhai and ₹20.73 lakh from Aizawl, the NIA said.
- Locations searched: 8 in Tamil Nadu, 5 in Mizoram
- Cash recovered in Chennai: ₹71 lakh
- Foreign currency recovered: $53,500 and 1,50,000 Myanmar Kyat
- Additional recoveries: ₹22.38 lakh (Champhai), ₹20.73 lakh (Aizawl)
Case origin and investigative timeline
The case stems from the November 2024 seizure of the methamphetamine consignment from a Myanmarese boat near the Barren Islands in the Bay of Bengal. The haul was recovered along with a satellite phone and other articles, prompting the Andaman & Nicobar police to register a case.
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 the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was also invoked, the agency said. The accused persons remain 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 methamphetamine and wider international drug syndicates.”
Transnational angle and investigative focus
The probe, now led by the NIA, is focused on mapping the wider network behind the maritime seizure and establishing links to international drug syndicates. The involvement of Myanmar nationals and currency in foreign denominations underlines the cross-border character of the case.
By invoking UAPA in addition to the NDPS Act and the Foreigners Act, investigators signal an inquiry that goes beyond narcotics possession and trafficking to probe alleged organised and potentially unlawful collective activities associated with the consignment.
Local impact and enforcement collaboration
The searches in Tamil Nadu and Mizoram illustrate coordination between agencies across states and Union territories: the Andaman & Nicobar police, state units and the central NIA. Chennai served as a key node in the probe given the cash and digital material recovered there.
Officials have seized digital devices during the searches; such material is typically examined for call data records, chat histories, financial transactions and other leads that can identify co-conspirators, routes and financiers. The NIA said the action was aimed at identifying other individuals involved in the conspiracy.
What happens next
Investigators will analyse the seized devices and currency trails to corroborate linkages to the maritime seizure. Any fresh arrests or charge-sheets would be based on evidence developed from digital forensics, financial examination and witness statements. The ongoing probe may prompt further searches or global mutual legal assistance requests if evidence points to actors based outside India.
| Item | Quantity / Value |
|---|---|
| Methamphetamine seized (original case) | 6,016 kg |
| Locations searched | 13 (8 TN, 5 Mizoram) |
| Cash recovered (Chennai) | ₹71 lakh |
| Foreign currency | $53,500; 1,50,000 Myanmar Kyat |
| Other cash recoveries | ₹22.38 lakh (Champhai); ₹20.73 lakh (Aizawl) |
The NIA did not release the identities of the persons whose premises were searched on Wednesday. The agency has characterised the operation as part of an effort to dismantle a larger trafficking network linked to the 2024 seizure.
Further official updates are expected as forensic analyses conclude and investigators pursue leads emerging from the recovered devices and financial records.
Selvan Murugesan is the Tamil Nadu correspondent reporting from Chennai.
