Assam Rifles seized heroin and methamphetamine tablets worth ₹40.05 crore in Mizoram’s Champhai district, near the Myanmar border. The drugs, suspected to be smuggled from Myanmar, highlight the growing narcotics threat. Awareness campaigns are being conducted to curb drug abuse and trafficking in the region.
In a blow to cross-border drug trafficking, the Assam Rifles have seized a massive consignment of illegal narcotics — including methamphetamine tablets and heroin — valued at approximately ₹40.05 crore in Mizoram. The seizure was carried out during a late-night operation on Saturday at Melbuk near Zokhawthar, a town situated in eastern Mizoram’s Champhai district along the India-Myanmar border.
A Defence spokesperson confirmed that the operation was based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of illegal substances in the region. Acting swiftly, the Assam Rifles personnel launched a meticulously planned operation and conducted an extensive search in the Melbuk area.
“During the search operation, Assam Rifles troops recovered 1.041 kg of heroin and 9.381 kg of methamphetamine tablets from an abandoned location. The total estimated market value of the recovered contraband is around ₹40.05 crore,” said the official spokesperson.
Following standard procedures, the seized substances were handed over to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for further investigation. Preliminary assessments suggest that the heroin and methamphetamine tablets, also known as “Yaba” or “party pills,” were smuggled into India from neighboring Myanmar.
The Myanmar Connection
Myanmar’s Chin State, which lies adjacent to Mizoram, has increasingly become a hotspot for illegal activities, including drug trafficking and wildlife smuggling. The rugged and porous terrain, combined with limited enforcement presence in the region, makes it an ideal conduit for smuggling operations.
Mizoram shares a 510 km-long unfenced border with Myanmar, passing through six districts — Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip. This extensive border has often been exploited by narcotics traffickers to push contraband into Indian territory.
Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as ice, crystal meth, or Yaba in tablet form, is a powerful stimulant. It suppresses appetite and the need for sleep, leading to increased alertness and energy — a property that has made it popular among partygoers and youth, despite its extremely addictive and destructive nature.
Efforts to Curb Narcotics Trafficking
Apart from intercepting drug consignments, the Assam Rifles has been proactive in community engagement initiatives aimed at curbing the menace of drug abuse. In recent months, they have organized a series of awareness campaigns across Mizoram, especially in vulnerable border districts.
These campaigns — which include seminars, group discussions, and public interactions — are aimed at educating the local population, particularly the youth, about the dangers of drug addiction and the legal ramifications of drug trafficking.
A Defence spokesperson emphasized that these awareness efforts are essential for building a resilient and informed community that can resist the temptations and pressures of the illegal narcotics trade. “We are making a concerted effort to highlight that drug abuse and trafficking are punishable under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985,” he said.
Speakers during the campaigns also warned of the growing threat of narcotics in the region, urging communities to remain alert and report suspicious activities. Special emphasis was laid on safeguarding younger generations from being lured into drug use or becoming pawns for drug traffickers.
A Region Under Pressure
The seizure comes amid growing concerns about the rise in drug-related activities in northeastern India, especially in states sharing borders with Myanmar. The region’s vulnerability is compounded by socio-economic challenges, limited surveillance infrastructure, and the influence of cross-border criminal syndicates.
Authorities have repeatedly stated that cooperation among enforcement agencies, intelligence sharing, and active community participation are key to tackling the narcotics problem in the Northeast.
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The successful operation by the Assam Rifles in Zokhawthar sends a clear message about India’s zero-tolerance stance on narcotics trafficking. However, with Myanmar continuing to be a major source of illicit drugs, sustained vigilance and international cooperation remain vital in the long-term fight against this menace.
