Assam Rifles, in collaboration with state law enforcement agencies, seized drugs and smuggled areca nuts worth more than Rs 14.2 crore in four separate operations across Mizoram between July 24 and 26, arresting seven individuals, including two Myanmar nationals, officials said on Monday.
The operations were conducted jointly with the Mizoram Police, the Excise and Narcotics Department, sister intelligence agencies and the Customs Preventive Force. Authorities recovered methamphetamine tablets, heroin and a large consignment of smuggled areca nuts during the coordinated crackdown.
The largest drug haul took place on July 24 at Sairang, where Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police, acting on specific intelligence inputs, recovered 2.18 kg of methamphetamine tablets valued at Rs 6.57 crore. Commonly referred to as "crazy drugs", methamphetamine tablets are banned in India. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure, while two vehicles and four mobile phones were confiscated. The accused and the contraband were handed over to Sairang Police Station for further investigation under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
In another operation on July 25, Assam Rifles personnel, along with the Mizoram Police and intelligence agencies, intercepted 67 grams of heroin concealed in six soap cases at Ngopa in Saitual district near the Manipur border. The seized heroin is estimated to be worth Rs 50.25 lakh in the international market.
One person was arrested and a mobile phone was seized. The case was handed over to Saitual Police Station.
On the same day, Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Customs Preventive Force in Champhai, foiled a smuggling attempt along the Champhai-Khawzawl road. Officials recovered 501 bags of smuggled areca nuts weighing 40,080 kg, with an estimated value of Rs 4.12 crore. The consignment was handed over to customs authorities for further investigation.
In the latest operation on July 26, Assam Rifles, acting on intelligence inputs from the Excise and Narcotics Department, recovered 401 grams of heroin worth Rs 3 crore during a joint operation at Siasi village in Siaha district near the Myanmar border. Two Myanmar nationals were apprehended and two mobile phones were seized. The accused and the recovered narcotics were handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department for legal action.
In total, the four operations led to the seizure of 2.18 kg of methamphetamine tablets, 468 grams of heroin and 40.08 tonnes of smuggled areca nuts. Authorities also confiscated two vehicles and seven mobile phones, while seven individuals were arrested.
Officials stated that such coordinated operations will continue as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and smuggling activities in the region.
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