Security forces in Mizoram and Tripura seized methamphetamine tablets worth Rs 34.73 crore in two separate operations, arresting three drug traffickers. The drugs, suspected to be smuggled from Myanmar via Mizoram, were intended for cross-border trafficking into Bangladesh. Assam Rifles and BSF acted swiftly to prevent the illegal trade.
In a major crackdown on cross-border narcotics smuggling, security forces in Mizoram and Tripura seized methamphetamine tablets worth over Rs 34.73 crore in two separate operations, arresting three drug traffickers in the process. Officials suspect the consignment was part of a larger transnational network involving drug routes originating from Myanmar and heading toward Bangladesh.
A defence spokesperson said that based on credible intelligence, personnel of the Assam Rifles launched an anti-narcotics operation in the early hours of Thursday in the Zote area of eastern Mizoram’s Champhai district, which shares a porous border with Myanmar.
During the operation, Assam Rifles troops intercepted a consignment of methamphetamine tablets, commonly referred to as ‘Yaba’, weighing around 11 kg. The narcotics were tightly packed in several plastic containers and estimated to be worth approximately Rs 33.33 crore in the international market. The seized drugs were later handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department in Champhai for further legal proceedings.
“The operation is part of our ongoing efforts to dismantle drug syndicates operating across the India-Myanmar border. These seizures reinforce our commitment to safeguard national security and protect the youth from drug abuse,” the spokesperson said.
Second Major Seizure in Tripura
Meanwhile, in a separate but coordinated operation in Tripura, the Border Security Force (BSF), in collaboration with Tripura Police, seized another cache of methamphetamine tablets near the Bangladesh border in Sepahijala district.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, BSF troops swiftly moved to Salpokhar area, close to the international border, and intercepted a suspicious red Chevrolet Aveo car. Upon conducting a detailed search, the team recovered 70 packets containing 14,000 methamphetamine tablets, valued at approximately Rs 1.4 crore.
The search operation extended to nearby houses, resulting in the arrest of three suspected drug peddlers: Sarfraj Ahmed of Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), Jubair from Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh), and Nazrul Islam of Cooch Behar (West Bengal). The seized contraband and the apprehended individuals were handed over to local police authorities for legal action under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Drug Trail from Myanmar to Bangladesh
Preliminary investigations indicate that the drugs were smuggled from Myanmar through Mizoram and southern Assam and were headed for Bangladesh. Myanmar’s Chin State has increasingly become a hub for illicit drug production, especially methamphetamine tablets that are easy to transport and conceal.
Security officials believe that the drug trafficking route spans six districts in Mizoram—Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip—many of which share an unfenced and rugged 510-km border with Myanmar, making surveillance and interdiction efforts challenging.
A senior police officer said, “This latest bust demonstrates the evolving strategies of drug traffickers who exploit geographical vulnerabilities and inter-state networks. The involvement of traffickers from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal highlights the pan-Indian character of this trafficking chain.”
Enhanced Vigil Along Borders
Both Assam Rifles and BSF have stepped up surveillance along the India-Myanmar and India-Bangladesh borders in recent months due to rising concerns about narco-terrorism and drug-fueled violence in border areas.
In a statement, the BSF reaffirmed its commitment to national security and preventing narcotics trafficking. “This operation highlights BSF’s proactive role in countering drug smuggling and ensuring the safety of border regions,” it said.
Officials further noted that intelligence-sharing and coordinated action between different law enforcement agencies have proven effective in intercepting drug consignments before they can cross into Bangladesh or spread across other Indian states.
Authorities are now intensifying efforts to trace the full network behind the drug consignments and have not ruled out further arrests in connection with the ongoing investigation.
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As narcotics smuggling continues to pose a serious threat to national security and public health, security agencies have reiterated the need for enhanced border management, cross-border cooperation, and community awareness to break the supply chains of such illicit drugs.
