NIA searches 13 locations in Tamil Nadu and Mizoram after meth seizure
Five locations in Mizoram and eight in Tamil Nadu were searched, leading to the seizure of several digital devices, ₹71 lakh in cash, $53,500, and 1,50,000 Myanmar Kyat in Chennai
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at 13 locations across Tamil Nadu and Mizoram, in connection with a significant seizure of methamphetamine. The operation followed the discovery of over 6,016 kg of the drug from a Myanmarese boat near Barren Islands in the Bay of Bengal during November 2024.
In Mizoram, five sites were inspected, while eight locations in Tamil Nadu were targeted, yielding critical evidence. This evidence includes digital devices, approximately ₹71 lakh in cash, $53,500, and 1,50,000 Myanmar Kyat. Additional amounts of ₹22.38 lakh and ₹20.73 lakh were recovered from Champhai and Aizawl respectively. The case was initiated when law enforcement seized the methamphetamine, alongside a satellite phone and other items from the Myanmarese vessel near the Barren Islands in November 2024.
Five Myanmar nationals were arrested and charged on March 27, 2025, under various laws including the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Foreigners Act. The NIA commenced its investigation on August 11, 2025, invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the process. Currently, the suspects are held in judicial custody.
The NIA explained that these searches are part of an ongoing investigation into a broader transnational narcotics trafficking network, with the aim of identifying additional individuals involved in the scheme. The goal is to establish connections between the seized methamphetamine and larger international drug syndicates.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
