“No Mercy for Drug Cartels”: Amit Shah Hails NCB for Rs 88 Crore Meth Seizure, Arrest of 4 International Drug Traffickers in Guwahati and Imphal

Amit Shah praised the NCB’s swift action, calling it a testament to the government’s strong investigative framework.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah has declared that there will be “no mercy for drug cartels” after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized methamphetamine tablets worth Rs. 88 crore and arrested four members of an international drug cartel in Imphal and Guwahati. Amit Shah praised the NCB’s swift action, calling it a testament to the government’s strong investigative framework and its commitment to building a drug-free Bharat.

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. The drug haul is a testament to the stellar performance of the bottom-to-top and top-to-bottom approach to investigation. Our hunt for drugs continues. Heartfelt congratulations to team NCB.”

In the first operation on March 13, 2025, NCB officers from the Imphal Zone acted on specific intelligence and intercepted a truck near Lilong. Upon conducting a thorough search of the vehicle, they recovered 102.39 kg of methamphetamine tablets hidden in the toolbox and cabin at the rear of the truck. The officers arrested the two occupants of the truck.

Following this, the NCB team conducted a follow-up operation and apprehended the suspected receiver of the contraband from the Lilong area. They also seized a four-wheeler used for drug trafficking. The three suspects were arrested, and investigators suspect that the drugs originated from Moreh. Further investigation is underway to track down other members of the network.

In a separate operation on the same day, NCB officers from the Guwahati Zone intercepted an SUV near the Assam-Mizoram border at Silchar. After conducting a detailed inspection, they recovered 7.48 kg of methamphetamine tablets hidden inside the vehicle’s spare tire. The occupant of the SUV was arrested, and initial investigation suggests that the drugs were sourced from Moreh, Manipur, with Karimganj as the intended destination. The investigation to identify other members of the cartel is ongoing.

In another development, the NCB has taken over the investigation of a case from the Mizoram State Excise Department. On March 6, authorities seized approximately 46 kg of crystal meth at Brigade Bawngkawn in Aizawl. Four suspects involved in the drug syndicate were arrested. The NCB is now investigating the case to uncover both international and inter-state links to the drug trafficking network.

“No Mercy for Drug Cartels”:

The North Eastern Region has become one of the most vulnerable areas for drug trafficking due to its geographic location. Recognising this threat, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) increased the strength of NCB in 2023 to intensify the fight against drug networks in the region.

NCB operates through five zonal units and a regional headquarters in the Northeast. The agency has been targeting synthetic drug traffickers, particularly those involved in the distribution of methamphetamine tablets, known as YABA. These drugs pose a significant threat to the youth and national security.

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For more news and updates, visit: Northeast Live

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