In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking along the India–Myanmar border, security forces arrested a man from Assam with methamphetamine tablets worth Rs 33.18 crore in Mizoram’s Saitual district, the Assam Rifles said on Saturday.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint team of the Assam Rifles and the Mizoram Police carried out an operation at Keifang, about 67 km from state capital Aizawl, on Friday.
During the operation, security personnel seized 11.06 kg of methamphetamine tablets, a banned psychotropic substance, along with a vehicle allegedly used for trafficking.
The accused has been identified as Hasan Ali, a resident of Badarpur district in southern Assam. He was later handed over to the Mizoram Police and booked under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
‘Crazy Drug’ seized near porous border
Methamphetamine tablets—commonly known as Yaba or “party tablets”—contain a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine and are often referred to as the “crazy drug” due to their severe psychological and physical effects. The substance is banned in India owing to its highly addictive nature and serious health consequences.
In an official statement, the Assam Rifles said the operation underscored its continued commitment to curbing drug trafficking in the sensitive border regions.
Mizoram shares a 510-km unfenced border with Myanmar and a 318-km border with Bangladesh, making it particularly vulnerable to cross-border smuggling of narcotics and contraband.
Nine arrested in fake drug fraud case; Four constables involved
In a separate but equally alarming case, four police constables were among nine people arrested for their alleged involvement in a series of frauds in Mizoram, where fake drugs were used to dupe unsuspecting buyers, police said on Tuesday.
The arrests were made by personnel of the Special Narcotics Police Station, Aizawl, following a tip-off. Five women were also taken into custody in connection with the racket.
Superintendent of Police Zosangliana said the women allegedly identified potential buyers for drugs or other contraband items, which later turned out to be fake.
“After fixing the deal, a time and venue were finalised for the transaction. When the buyers arrived, the constables—posing as CID officers—would arrest them,” the SP said.
The victims were usually released after handing over money, which was then shared among the accused. According to police, the gang had carried out such frauds on more than six occasions.
Three constables were arrested on December 15 at the New Capital Complex while waiting to receive a consignment of methamphetamine tablets, based on intelligence inputs.
During the operation, one of the accused received a call stating that the drugs would instead be delivered at Khatla. When the police team reached the location, they seized tablets from a woman later identified as the mastermind of the racket.
Subsequent examination revealed that the seized drugs were fake. Further investigation led to the arrest of another constable and four more women, police said.
The twin cases have once again highlighted the growing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in Mizoram, where porous international borders and organised networks continue to fuel both narcotics trafficking and related crimes.