New Delhi, Apr 10: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, asserted that the Modi government is intensifying its battle against drug cartels, with a major operation leading to the seizure of 30.4 kg of methamphetamine tablets worth ₹24.32 crore in Assam.
In a post on the X platform, Amit Shah declared, “In our vision to build a drug-free Bharat, our agencies have launched massive operations targeting drug cartels, successfully seizing 30.4 kg of methamphetamine tablets and arresting three individuals in Assam. Our offensive against drugs will continue with unwavering force. Congratulations to the NCB, Assam Police, and CRPF for this significant breakthrough.”
On April 6, 2025, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), acting on the directive of the Union Home Minister, conducted a series of operations leading to a significant victory against the inter-state synthetic drug network operating in Assam.
In two separate operations in Silchar, Assam, the NCB, in coordination with the Assam Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), seized 30.4 kg of methamphetamine tablets, commonly known as YABA, worth ₹24.32 crore. The operation, which had been in the works for over three months, resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of two vehicles used for trafficking the drugs.
The first operation involved the interception of a car on the night of April 6, 2025. In a well-executed intelligence-driven operation, the NCB and Assam Police recovered 9.9 kg of methamphetamine concealed in the car’s boot cavity. The car’s sole occupant, a resident of Churachandpur, Manipur, was arrested on the spot. Investigations are ongoing to trace the backward and forward linkages of the drug supply chain.
Later that evening, another joint operation by NCB, Assam Police, and the CRPF led to the interception of a Mahindra Thar. Authorities recovered 20.5 kg of methamphetamine hidden inside the vehicle’s spare tire, packed in 21 separate packets. Both occupants of the vehicle, also from Churachandpur, were arrested. Further investigations are underway to dismantle the trafficking network.
Earlier, on March 13, 2025, NCB had seized 110 kg of methamphetamine in two major operations. In one of these, 7.5 kg was recovered in Silchar, Assam, and a resident of Moreh, Manipur, was arrested. The second seizure, at Lilong, near Imphal, Manipur, involved 102.5 kg of methamphetamine, leading to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of three vehicles. Investigations are still ongoing to disrupt the broader trans-national drug syndicate.
The NCB has strengthened its operations in the North East, opening four new Zonal Units in Siliguri, Itanagar, Agartala, and Imphal, with a Regional Headquarters in Guwahati. The agency has also set up a Field Office in Aizawl, Mizoram, with the cooperation of Mizoram Police. This office had immediate success, seizing 10.814 kg of methamphetamine on March 24, 2025, and arresting six individuals, including two from Myanmar. Additionally, four vehicles were seized. Investigations continue to dismantle the cross-border drug trafficking operations.
These recent seizures demonstrate the NCB’s continued commitment to disrupting the trans-national and inter-state drug networks that plague the region. With these five major drug busts in the North East over the past month, the NCB is working relentlessly towards achieving the goal of a Drug-Free India.
