Daijiworld Media Network - Aizawl/Imphal
Aizawl/Imphal, Sep 18: In a sweeping crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking, security forces have confiscated illegal narcotics worth over Rs 143 crore and arrested three individuals during a series of coordinated operations in Mizoram and Manipur over the past 24 hours, officials reported on Thursday.
The largest seizure occurred in Mizoram’s Champhai district, where the Assam Rifles, acting on specific intelligence, launched a late-night operation near Zote village, which lies close to the unfenced Indo-Myanmar border. Troops intercepted a suspect attempting to smuggle narcotics but the individual fled into nearby forested terrain, abandoning the consignment. A subsequent search led to the recovery of 34.218 kg of methamphetamine tablets, valued at over Rs 102.65 crore in the illicit market. The defence spokesperson called this a significant blow to transnational drug syndicates and emphasized the Assam Rifles’ ongoing commitment to national security and youth protection.
In another operation, Assam Rifles and the Territorial Army arrested 25-year-old Lalchchuanmawia from Zote during a raid in the Zemabawk area of Aizawl district. Authorities seized 12 grams of heroin worth approximately Rs 8.4 lakh from the suspect, who was then handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department for further investigation.
Separately, Assam Rifles recovered 2.462 kg of heroin worth Rs 20.10 crore during a raid in the Thingluang Kai area near Melbuk Road in Champhai district, based on intelligence regarding narcotic smuggling through the region.
Meanwhile, in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, security forces arrested two suspected drug traffickers in separate operations at a Naka Check Post. In the first case, Md Nousad, a 21-year-old from Kakching district, was caught with 10.8 kg of methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs 30 crore, along with a mobile phone and the vehicle used in transportation. In a second incident, Hengougin Haokip, 23, of Kangpokpi district, was arrested with 125 grams of brown sugar worth Rs 10 crore, concealed in soap cases inside his van.
These operations mark one of the largest combined drug seizures in the region since the Mizoram government launched a four-month special anti-drug campaign on September 1. Officials warn that the problem is rooted in the extensive 510-km unfenced border that Mizoram shares with Myanmar, across six districts — Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip — which are frequently exploited for smuggling narcotics, exotic wildlife, and contraband.
From Mizoram, the illegal substances are often transported further into mainland India and neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, using routes through Assam and Tripura. Authorities reiterated that both central and state security forces remain on high alert and are intensifying operations to dismantle drug networks operating along the sensitive India-Myanmar corridor.