Meth tablets worth Rs 168 crore seized in Assam; drug peddler arrested

Cachar (Assam), Aug 27 (IANS) In a major crackdown on an inter-state narcotics trafficking network, Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), seized narcotic substances worth approximately Rs 168 crore from Jujhang Pahar areas in Cachar district of southern Assam, officials said on Thursday.

A defence spokesman said that the joint operation by the Assam Rifles and the DRI, Silchar, conducted on Wednesday night, resulted in the recovery of 5.60 lakh highly addictive methamphetamine tablets weighing approximately 60 kg and valued at over Rs 168 crore.

A drug peddler was also arrested in connection with the seizure, while a truck allegedly used for transporting the contraband was also seized.

The contraband, suspected to have originated in neighbouring Manipur, was being transported towards Assam through the Imphal-Jiribam (along Cachar district) National Highway (NH-37), the spokesman said.

Preliminary assessment indicates that the inter-state syndicate was attempting to use Cachar and Sribhumi districts (formerly known as Karimganj) as transit corridors for onward transportation of the narcotics towards mainland India, highlighting the extensive reach and organised nature of the trafficking network, he added.

The apprehended individual and the recovered contraband and vehicle have been handed over to the concerned authorities for further investigation and legal proceedings.

“The record-breaking seizure marks a major setback to the inter-state narcotics syndicate and demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated operations between Assam Rifles and DRI. “The operation further reinforces the unwavering resolve of Assam Rifles to disrupt trafficking routes, dismantle narcotics networks and safeguard the youth of the Northeast,” an official statement said.

The methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba or party tablets, contain a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine and are commonly misused as high-dose stimulant drugs in Bangladesh and neighbouring countries, including India.

Myanmar, which shares a 1,643-km-long unfenced international border with four northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram — serves as a key transit point for drugs, particularly heroin and methamphetamine tablets, entering India.

Myanmar’s Chin state is considered a major hub for smuggling various drugs, exotic wildlife and other contraband into India through six districts of Mizoram — Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual and Serchhip.

Five districts of Manipur — Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kamjong and Ukhrul — share a 398-km-long unfenced international border with Myanmar.

Mizoram shares 510 km and 318 km unfenced border with Myanmar and Bangladesh, respectively.

The latest seizure is among the major recent recoveries of methamphetamine tablets in the Northeast and is expected to deal a significant blow to the inter-state drug trafficking network operating through the region.

–IANS

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