Drugs worth Rs 88 crore seized; Amit Shah says no mercy for drug cartels

A massive consignment of methamphetamine tablets worth Rs 88 crore was seized and four members of an international drug cartel were arrested in Imphal and Guwahati zones, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday.

In a post on X, Shah said there will be no mercy for drug cartels.

He congratulated the NCB for the successful operation, stating that the drug haul is a testament to the stellar performance of the bottom-to-top and top-to-bottom approach towards investigation.

The first operation took place on March 13, when NCB Imphal Zone officials, acting on a tip-off, intercepted a truck near the Lilong area. After a detailed inspection, the team recovered 102.39 kg of Methamphetamine tablets hidden in the truck's toolbox and rear cabin. Two occupants of the truck were arrested.

Following this, a follow-up operation led to the capture of the suspected receiver of the drugs in the Lilong area, and a four-wheeler used in trafficking was also seized.

The source of the drugs was traced to Moreh, a town in Manipur, and investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest others involved in the drug network.

In a separate operation on the same day, NCB Guwahati Zone officials intercepted an SUV at the Assam-Mizoram border near Silchar. Upon inspection, 7.48 kg of Methamphetamine tablets were recovered concealed inside the vehicle's spare tire. The vehicle’s occupant was arrested, and further investigation revealed that the drugs originated from Moreh, Manipur, with Karimganj as the suspected destination.

Additionally, the NCB has taken over the investigation of a case from the Mizoram State Excise Department, where 46 kg of crystal Methamphetamine was seized at Brigade Bawngkawn in Aizawl on March 6. Four individuals involved in the drug syndicate were arrested, and the NCB is now probing the international and inter-state links of the trafficking network.