Port Blair, Oct. 7: In fight against bootlegging, illicit liquor and drug abuse, Andaman and Nicobar Police has adopted multi-pronged strategy coupled with zero tolerance against this menace. On supply front, Police is cracking the whips against bootleggers and drug peddlers. On demand side, mass public awareness campaign has been launched to spread awareness about ill-effects of alcohol/drug abuse.

Cracking down on bootlegging, as many as 118 cases under 32 Regulation III of 1876 were registered in the month of September, 2022 as compared to 61 cases in July and 85 cases in August, 2022. 892 bottles of liquor, 327 Kgs of Handia and 127.5 ltrs of illicit liquor were recovered from the possession of bootleggers. Apart from this, search and combing operations were carried out in jungle in which as much as 5,570 ltrs of Lehan (fermented wash to prepare illicit liquor) was destroyed.

Similarly, in fight against drug abuse, 13 cases under NDPS Act were registered in September, 2022, in which 16 accused were arrested. From their possession, 11.7 Kgs of Ganja and 3.18 kg of Methaphetamine were recovered.

During August, 2022, more than 50 Awareness programmes on “Alcohol/Drug Abuse” were conducted in Schools/ Colleges, with Community leaders, PRI members and other stakeholders. To reach out to the youth, A&N Police has joined hands with David Beckham, a rising athlete and international cyclist from Nicobar, as role model to spread awareness against drug abuse and alcoholism. The message of hazardous impact of alcohol/drug abuse on physical, mental, social and financial health is disseminated in a simple and entertaining manner with the help of Skit/Nukkad Natak enacted by Police Team. The A& N Police is committed to take stern action against bootleggers, illicit liquor, drug peddlers and other illegal activities.

The public is requested to share information pertaining to any crime or other illegal activities to Police at 100,112 & 03192-233077. The identity of the informant will be kept secret.