Meth worth over ₹106 cr seized in Mizoram
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 13 2025: In a major blow to cross-border drug trafficking, two separate operations in Mizoram led to the seizure of a combined 70.6 kg of methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs 106 crore in the international market in the last two days.

In the first incident, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 52.67 kg worth Rs 52.67 crore from a 12-wheeler truck near Aizawl on April 11.In another raid, a joint team of the Assam Rifles and Mizoram police seized 17.946 kg - nearly 1.8 lakh tablets, and valued at over Rs 54 crore, from a Myanmarese national in Lawngtlai district.

According to a PIB release, DRI intercepted a truck in the outskirts of Aizawl in a late-night operation on Friday, uncovering a novel concealment method with the meth tablets hidden within folds of the truck's tarpaulin.

The orange-pink tablets were packed in brick-shaped packets bearing markings such as "3030 Export Only" and "999".The vehicle, registered in Nagaland, had reportedly picked up the contraband at Zokhawthar, a border town near Myanmar, and was headed for Tripura when it was stopped.

Two individuals - the driver and his assistant - were arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.In the second seizure, as reported by multiple news agencies, security forces acting on specific intelligence raided Siachangkawn area in Lawngtlai district late Saturday night leading to the seizure of nearly 18 kg of methamphetamine tablets and the arrest of the Myanmarese national.

The arrested immigrant and the seized narcotics were handed over to Bualpui police outpost.

Authorities stated that the meth tablets were smuggled in from Myanmar and were heading towards Bangladesh through Mizoram's porous terrain.

Officials highlighted Chin State in Myanmar as a growing hub of narcotics and arms smuggling into India.

These operations came amid a broader crackdown on drug trafficking in Mizoram.

Drugs worth Rs 195.48 crore were seized between January and March 2025 alone, Times of India quoted official sources from Mizoram excise and narcotics department.

The haul included 48.061 kg of crystal meth, 44.111 kg of methamphetamine, and 15.192 kg of heroin, along with nearly 85 kg of ganja and a range of abused prescription drugs.

Law enforcement officials attribute the upsurge in trafficking to the near-collapse of governance in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup, coupled with instability caused by ethnic conflict in neighbouring Manipur since May 2023.Mizoram's 404-km international border with Myanmar has become a key route for narcotics smuggling.

Meanwhile, the state has recorded 14 drug-related deaths so far this year.

Raising concern over the spiralling crisis, Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma on Saturday urged citizens to step up their role in combating drug abuse and safeguarding the future of the state.

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