Daijiworld Media Network - Aizawl
Aizawl, Jun 26: In a major anti-narcotics operation, Mizoram’s Champhai district — a notorious drug trafficking corridor along the India-Myanmar border — destroyed seized drugs valued at Rs 117.03 crore on Thursday. The disposal was carried out by the Drug Disposal Committee at the Champhai District Hospital Complex in the presence of senior officials.
Officials confirmed that Champhai police confiscated drugs worth Rs 117.34 crore between June 2024 and April 2025, underlining the district’s growing role as a gateway for narcotics from Myanmar into India’s Northeast.
Among the destroyed contraband were methamphetamine tablets (commonly known as Yaba), heroin, and marijuana. Yaba, a highly addictive stimulant known for its devastating impact on the brain and heart, remains the most widely abused drug among users.
A large number of arrests have been made in recent months, including several women and Myanmar nationals, reflecting the transnational nature of the drug trafficking network operating in the region.
In a strategic move to curb smuggling and enhance border security, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has endorsed Mizoram’s proposal to raise a Mizo Territorial Army (MTA) battalion. Chief Minister Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer, proposed the initiative during his recent visit to Delhi, calling it vital for both youth employment and national security.
“The Chief Minister thanked the Home Minister for backing the MTA battalion, which aims to empower local youth and tighten surveillance along Mizoram’s porous borders,” a state official said.
Further strengthening this effort, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is planning to establish a zonal office in Mizoram. During a recent meeting with Lalduhoma, NCB Director General Anurag Garg highlighted the need for locally-aware personnel and expanded enforcement capacity in the state.
The Chief Minister also reiterated Mizoram’s need for greater autonomy in dealing with narcotics challenges, including MHA approval to raise dedicated anti-smuggling forces such as the MTA.
Myanmar’s Chin State, which borders six districts of Mizoram — Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip — continues to be a hub for smuggling not just narcotics but also exotic wildlife and other contraband. The India-Myanmar border, stretching 1,643 km across four northeastern states, remains largely unfenced, offering easy routes for illicit cross-border activity.
Despite the challenges, officials said increased vigilance and coordinated operations have led to frequent seizures and arrests, sending a strong signal to trafficking networks.
As the state prepares to scale up its response with national support, Champhai’s drug incineration marks a symbolic yet significant milestone in Mizoram’s war on narcotics.