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Significant Drug Seizures in Northeast India

Aizawl/Imphal, Sept 18: In a series of operations conducted in Mizoram and Manipur, security forces have confiscated narcotics valued at more than ₹143 crore and apprehended three individuals, as reported by officials on Thursday.

Following specific intelligence, the Assam Rifles initiated a search operation on Wednesday night near Zote village in the Champhai district of Mizoram, which shares an unguarded border with Myanmar.

During this operation, troops intercepted a suspect carrying a drug consignment. Upon being challenged, the suspect abandoned the load and fled into the dense jungle, utilizing the challenging terrain to escape. A thorough search of the area resulted in the recovery of 34.218 kg of methamphetamine tablets, a highly addictive and illegal substance, valued at over ₹102.65 crore.

In a separate operation, Assam Rifles seized 12 grams of heroin worth approximately ₹8.4 lakh in Zemabawk, located in Aizawl district, on Wednesday night, according to a spokesperson.

Acting on intelligence regarding narcotics trafficking, a joint operation involving the Assam Rifles and the Territorial Army was conducted in the Zemabawk area, where one suspected drug dealer was intercepted and searched.

During the search, 12 grams of heroin were found on the individual, identified as 25-year-old Lalchchuanmawia from Zote in Champhai District. The seized drugs and the suspect have been handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department in Aizawl for further investigation.

In Manipur, security forces arrested two suspected drug traffickers and confiscated brown sugar and methamphetamine tablets valued at around ₹40 crore.

A police official in Imphal stated that these seizures and arrests occurred in Tengnoupal district, which borders Myanmar, during two separate operations conducted in the last 24 hours.

In the first operation, security forces stopped a van at the Naka Check Post in the Tengnoupal police station area. The driver, Md Nousad (21) from Kakching district, was arrested, and approximately 50 packets of methamphetamine tablets weighing 10.8 kg, along with the van and a mobile phone, were seized. The estimated value of these drugs exceeds ₹30 crore.

Subsequently, another van was intercepted at the same checkpoint, leading to the arrest of driver Hengougin Haokip (23) from Kangpokpi district. Authorities seized 11 soap cases containing 125 grams of brown sugar, the vehicle, and a mobile phone, with the drugs valued at over ₹10 crore.

Additionally, Assam Rifles seized heroin worth around ₹20.10 crore in Mizoram. A defense spokesperson indicated that an operation was launched on Tuesday night at Thingluang Kai in the Melbuk Road area of Champhai district, resulting in the confiscation of 2.462 kg of heroin valued at ₹20.10 crore.

This recent drug seizure marks the largest haul of narcotics since the Mizoram government initiated a four-month-long special campaign and anti-drug operation on September 1 to combat the illegal drug trade.