Daijiworld Media Network – Imphal
Imphal, Jul 23: A joint team of the Manipur Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested an alleged Myanmar-based drug kingpin from Churachandpur district on Wednesday, in a major crackdown on a transnational narcotics syndicate linked to drug seizures worth over Rs 53 crore across India and Bangladesh.
The accused, identified as Nengjatuan alias Tuanpi, was apprehended during a raid at Hotel Venus in Churachandpur. Investigators said he is a resident of Haichin in Myanmar's Chin State and is believed to be a key figure in an international drug trafficking network.
According to the NCB, Tuanpi is wanted in several cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by the NCB, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Manipur Police.
Describing him as a "drug kingpin", the agency said his arrest came after months of intelligence gathering, technical surveillance, interstate coordination and sustained investigations aimed at dismantling the leadership of transnational trafficking networks rather than merely intercepting drug consignments.
The NCB said investigations revealed that Tuanpi was one of the principal international suppliers operating from Myanmar's Chin State and allegedly controlled a network that smuggled methamphetamine tablets and heroin through Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura for distribution across India and Bangladesh.
Officials said he is the main accused in three NCB cases involving the seizure of about 28.22 kg of methamphetamine tablets and 1.278 kg of heroin, valued at more than Rs 25 crore. He is also linked to seven other NDPS cases registered by Churachandpur Police, Singngat Police and the DRI.
Investigators stated that the syndicate functioned through an organised network of international suppliers, cross-border couriers, transport coordinators, local facilitators, receivers and financial handlers. The network has so far been linked to seizures of methamphetamine, heroin and proceeds of crime collectively valued at over Rs 53 crore.
The agency said financial investigations are continuing to trace additional proceeds of crime, assets and other members associated with the syndicate.
Over the past several months, the NCB arrested several alleged key operatives of the network in Manipur and Assam, including Abdullah Ahmed of Silchar in Assam, Lalthlamuong Pulamte of Churachandpur, Nengultinkhum Hrangngul of Pherzawl and Paominlen Munlo of Churachandpur.
According to the agency, interrogation of the arrested accused, along with technical surveillance, digital evidence and financial investigations, led investigators to identify Tuanpi as the alleged Myanmar-based supplier directing the network from across the international border.
The NCB said the latest arrest follows the earlier arrests of Lalhmingsanga in March 2026 and Thancintuang alias Chintuang alias Tluanga in May 2026, and reflects its strategy of dismantling entire transnational drug trafficking networks by targeting international suppliers, financiers, coordinators and logistics providers.