Daijiworld Media Network - Aizawl

Aizawl, Jul 12: In one of the largest crackdowns in recent months, Assam Rifles and other enforcement agencies have seized illegal drugs and explosives worth more than Rs 113.36 crore across different operations in Mizoram within the past 24 hours. Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures.

According to officials, the coordinated operations led to the confiscation of over 3.3 lakh methamphetamine tablets and a substantial quantity of heroin, along with 7,000 detonators stored in a private residence.

In Zokhawthar, a border town in Champhai district, Assam Rifles personnel on patrol spotted two individuals carrying rucksacks. Upon seeing the security forces, the suspects fled across the India–Myanmar border by jumping into a river. A search of their abandoned bags revealed 33 packets containing 3,33,300 methamphetamine tablets, weighing 37.47 kg. These high-potency party drugs, also known as "Yaba," are valued at Rs 112.4 crore and were reportedly intended for distribution in Champhai.

In a separate bust, troops intercepted two individuals on a Chinese Kenbo motorcycle. A search uncovered 128 grams of heroin concealed in 11 soap cases, estimated to be worth Rs 96 lakh.

During a third operation, Assam Rifles, in collaboration with Mizoram Police, recovered 7,000 detonators from a house in the Chanmari locality of Aizawl. One individual was taken into custody for illegal possession of explosives.

All the seized items and arrested suspects have been handed over to local police for further investigation.

Mizoram, with its 510 km border with Myanmar and 318 km border with Bangladesh, continues to face challenges from rampant cross-border smuggling of drugs, weapons, wildlife, and contraband. Myanmar’s Chin State, adjoining Mizoram, is known to be a key trafficking hub fueling illicit networks across the region.