Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, on Thursday praised the government’s aggressive stance against drug trafficking, saying that the Modi government is “mowing down drug cartels with full might.” This comes after a massive drug seizure in Assam on Sunday, which dealt a serious blow to narcotics syndicates operating in the region.
In a post on X, Shah said, “In our vision to build a drug-free Bharat, our agencies launched massive operations strangling drug cartels and seized 30.4 kg of methamphetamine tablets while arresting three people in Assam. Our offensives against drugs will continue with ruthless force. Congratulations to the NCB, Assam Police, and the CRPF on this major breakthrough”.
Details of the operation
On April 6, the NCB, in collaboration with the Assam Police and the CRPF, carried out a series of successful operations against drug trafficking networks operating in Assam. This operation, which had been meticulously planned for over three months, resulted in the seizure of 30.4 kg of methamphetamine, also known as “YABA,” in two separate incidents.
The first major seizure took place when NCB officials, acting on intelligence, intercepted a car in Silchar, Assam. The vehicle contained 9.9 kg of methamphetamine, concealed in the boot of the car. The sole occupant, a resident of Churachandpur in Manipur, was arrested on the spot. Authorities are continuing their investigations to identify the links between this seizure and the broader drug trafficking network.
Later that evening, a joint operation involving the NCB, Assam Police, and the CRPF led to the interception of a Mahindra Thar in Silchar. Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered 20.5 kg of methamphetamine, hidden inside the spare tire. Two individuals from Churachandpur, Manipur, were arrested in connection with this haul. Investigations are ongoing to uncover further connections and the full scope of the operation.
This operation follows a series of similar successful seizures by the NCB in the region. On March 13, 2025, the NCB had seized 110 kg of methamphetamine in two separate operations. The first operation in Silchar led to the arrest of one individual, a resident of Moreh, Manipur, with 7.5 kg of methamphetamine. The second seizure in Lilong, near Imphal, Manipur, netted 102.5 kg of methamphetamine, and three individuals were arrested.
Further investigations are underway in these cases, as the authorities continue to work toward dismantling transnational drug trafficking syndicates operating across India and its neighboring countries.
NCB’s efforts in Northeast
The NCB has been stepping up its efforts in the Northeast region, setting up new zonal units in Siliguri, Itanagar, Agartala, and Imphal, as well as a regional headquarters in Guwahati. Additionally, a newly operationalized Field Office in Aizawl, Mizoram, has already achieved success with the seizure of 10.814 kg of methamphetamine on March 24, leading to the arrest of six individuals, including two foreign nationals from Myanmar.
