Security forces in Assam and Manipur seized drugs worth over Rs 8 crore and arrested eight traffickers in major operations. The crackdown exposed repeat offenders and highlighted Myanmar’s role as a key supply source. Authorities stress vigilance and cooperation to combat the growing narco-trafficking crisis in India’s northeast.
In a crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking, security forces in Assam and Manipur have seized narcotics valued at over Rs 8 crore and arrested eight drug peddlers in a series of operations conducted over the past 24 hours. The seizures highlight the persistent challenge of narcotics smuggling through India’s northeastern states, which share porous international borders with Myanmar—an established hub for the illegal drug trade.
Seizures in Assam
According to officials in Guwahati, Assam Police achieved a major breakthrough in two separate anti-drug operations. In Sribhumi district (formerly Karimganj), police apprehended two drug peddlers and recovered nearly 20,000 methamphetamine tablets, a highly addictive psychotropic substance. The consignment was estimated to be worth over Rs 3 crore in the illegal market.
In another operation carried out late on Saturday night, the Assam Police acted on a tip-off and arrested a trafficker in Karbi Anglong district. During the raid, officers recovered 4.1 kilograms of morphine, a narcotic derived from opium, with a market value exceeding Rs 4 crore.
Reacting to the successful seizures, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the police forces for their commitment and vigilance in combating the drug menace. He emphasized that consistent and coordinated efforts by security agencies are crucial to protect the youth of the state from falling prey to addiction.
Operations in Manipur
Meanwhile, in neighboring Manipur, a joint operation involving the Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Border Security Force (BSF) led to the arrest of five individuals, including a woman, in Thoubal district. The team seized a large cache of methamphetamine tablets worth over Rs 1 crore.
The raids further uncovered six mobile phones, several account ledgers and diaries, two vehicles allegedly used in drug trafficking, and 120 empty plastic containers from the residences of the accused. Authorities said these items provided evidence of a well-organized network operating across state and international borders.
A police official in Imphal revealed that among those arrested were two habitual offenders with a long history of drug trafficking.
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Muhammad Mustakim (39) was earlier arrested by Assam Police in Guwahati in 2022 for transporting 205 soap cases containing heroin. After serving two years in prison, he was released on bail in January 2025.
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Muhammad Baboy alias Yahiya Khan (35), another repeat offender, had previously been arrested in 2020 for carrying 7,000 methamphetamine tablets. He was released on bail in 2023.
The presence of repeat offenders underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in controlling drug trafficking when habitual smugglers continue their activities after being released on bail.
Cross-Border Drug Routes
Officials from both Assam and Manipur Police suspect that the narcotics seized in these operations were smuggled from Myanmar, one of Southeast Asia’s major drug-producing nations. The drugs were likely meant to be transported to other Indian states or even trafficked abroad.
India’s northeast has long been vulnerable to drug smuggling due to its unfenced borders with Myanmar. Six districts of Mizoram—Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip—share a 510 km border with Myanmar, making them frequent entry points for contraband, including narcotics and even exotic wildlife. Similarly, Manipur shares a 398 km porous border with Myanmar, which continues to be exploited by traffickers.
Growing Concerns
The recent seizures reflect the scale of the ongoing narco-trafficking crisis in the Northeast, which not only poses a serious law and order problem but also threatens public health and national security. Officials stressed the need for tighter border vigilance, enhanced cooperation among security forces, and stricter judicial measures to ensure that habitual offenders do not resume smuggling activities after release.
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The joint success in Assam and Manipur sends a strong message to drug syndicates operating in the region. However, experts caution that the drug menace cannot be curbed solely through seizures and arrests. There is a pressing need for comprehensive strategies, including rehabilitation programs for addicts, international cooperation with Myanmar, and community awareness campaigns, to tackle the root causes of the crisis.
As the drug network becomes increasingly sophisticated, security forces in the northeast remain on high alert to safeguard the region from becoming a hub for narcotics distribution.
