NCB seizes ₹88 crore drugs in Assam & Manipur; Amit Shah says 'No mercy for drug cartels'

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has seized 109 kg of methamphetamine worth ₹88 crore in two separate operations in Assam and Manipur. The operations, conducted on March 13, led to the arrest of four individuals linked to an international drug cartel, officials confirmed. The contraband originated from Moreh, Manipur, and was headed for Karimganj, Assam.

In the first operation, NCB’s Imphal Zone intercepted a truck near Lilong and recovered 102.39 kg of methamphetamine tablets hidden inside a toolbox. Two individuals in the truck were arrested on the spot, while a third suspect, believed to be the intended recipient of the drugs, was apprehended later. A four-wheeler linked to the trafficking network was also seized.

In a second operation the same day, NCB’s Guwahati Zone intercepted an SUV near the Assam-Mizoram border close to Silchar. Officers recovered 7.48 kg of methamphetamine tablets concealed inside the vehicle’s spare tire. The occupant of the SUV was arrested, and further investigation is underway to determine additional links in the trafficking network.

According to officials, the large consignment was smuggled into India through Moreh, Manipur, which has a porous border with Myanmar. Senior NCB officials, including chief Anurag Garg, are set to visit Imphal for meetings to assess the inflow of drugs from across the border and coordinate further actions.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the NCB’s efforts, stating, “No mercy for drug cartels. Accelerating the Modi govt’s march to build a drug-free Bharat, a massive consignment of methamphetamine tablets worth ₹88 crore is seized, and four members of the international drug cartel are arrested in Imphal and Guwahati zones. Our hunt for drugs continues.”

The NCB has also taken over the investigation of a separate case from Mizoram, where 46 kg of crystal meth was seized on March 6. Authorities are working to trace international and inter-state links in drug trafficking networks operating in the region.