Guwahati: In a significant blow to international drug cartels, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has seized a massive consignment of methamphetamine tablets worth Rs 88 crore and arrested four individuals involved in the illicit trade. The operations, conducted in Imphal and Guwahati zones, mark a crucial step in the Modi government’s mission to build a drug-free India.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, lauded the NCB’s efforts, emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking. In a post on X, Shah stated, “No mercy for drug cartels. Accelerating the Modi government’s march to build a drug-free Bharat, a massive consignment of methamphetamine tablets worth ₹88 crore has been seized, and four members of an international drug cartel have been arrested in Imphal and Guwahati zones. This drug haul is a testament to the stellar performance of our bottom-to-top and top-to-bottom approach to investigation. Our hunt for drugs continues. Heartfelt congratulations to Team NCB.”
The NCB’s crackdown unfolded in two coordinated operations on March 13, 2025. In the first operation, NCB officers from the Imphal Zone intercepted a truck near the Lilong area based on credible intelligence. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 102.39 kg of methamphetamine tablets concealed in a toolbox and cabin at the rear of the truck. Two occupants of the truck were apprehended on the spot.
Acting swiftly, the NCB team conducted a follow-up operation and arrested a suspected receiver of the contraband from the Lilong area. A four-wheeler used for drug trafficking was also seized from the suspect. Preliminary investigations suggest that the contraband originated from Moreh, a town near the India-Myanmar border. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other individuals linked to the syndicate.
In a parallel operation on the same day, NCB officers from the Guwahati Zone intercepted an SUV near the Assam-Mizoram border in Silchar. A detailed inspection revealed 7.48 kg of methamphetamine tablets hidden inside the vehicle’s spare tire. The occupant of the SUV was arrested, and investigations indicate that the drugs were sourced from Moreh, Manipur, with Karimganj in Assam as the intended destination.
In a related development, the NCB has taken over the investigation of a case from the Mizoram State Excise Department, where approximately 46 kg of crystal methamphetamine was seized in Aizawl on March 6. Four individuals involved in the drug syndicate were arrested in connection with the seizure. The NCB is now probing the international and inter-state linkages of the trafficking network to dismantle the entire operation.
Northeast: A Vulnerable Region
The Northeastern Region has long been identified as a hotspot for drug trafficking due to its strategic geographic location, sharing borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. Recognizing this vulnerability, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) bolstered the NCB’s presence in the region in 2023, enhancing its capacity to combat the drug menace.
The NCB, through its five zonal units and a regional headquarters in the Northeast, has been actively targeting traffickers involved in the trade of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine tablets, commonly known as YABA. These drugs pose a significant threat not only to the youth of the region but also to national security.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating the drug trade, emphasizing that the recent seizures and arrests reflect the success of the NCB’s strategic approach. “Our fight against drugs is unwavering. The Modi government is determined to protect our youth and secure our nation from the scourge of narcotics,” Shah said.
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