New Delhi, May 28, 2025: In a significant escalation of its anti-narcotics operations in the North Eastern Region, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in close coordination with the Assam Rifles, successfully conducted two back-to-back seizures of heroin and methamphetamine valued at approximately ₹23.5 crore in the international grey drug market. These operations underscore India’s intensifying war against transnational drug networks and contraband trafficking through the North-East corridor.
Major Bust in Manipur: Truck Intercepted at NH-37
On May 21, 2025, the DRI, with critical assistance from the 19 Battalion Assam Rifles, intercepted a suspicious truck near Noney, Manipur along National Highway-37. Upon a thorough inspection, officials discovered a specially fabricated hidden cavity on the truck’s chassis. Concealed within were:
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569 grams of heroin, and
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1,039 grams of methamphetamine tablets, commonly known as “party drugs” or “ice.”
The operation reflects the growing sophistication of drug traffickers, who are increasingly relying on custom-built concealment techniques to evade detection.
Second Operation in Assam: Hidden Cache Unearthed
In a separate operation conducted the next day, on May 22, 2025, DRI personnel, along with the Assam Rifles FIU Unit Silchar, intercepted another truck at Aloicherra, situated in the Hailakandi district of Assam. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the team searched the vehicle and unearthed:
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2,640.53 grams of heroin, deeply hidden in a specially fabricated cavity beneath the truck’s bedload floor.
Both operations reflect high-level coordination between central enforcement agencies and paramilitary forces in tracking the movement of narcotics across inter-state borders.
Legal Action and Arrests
All seized narcotics were booked under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the seizures. The arrested persons are believed to be part of an organized trafficking network that utilizes the North-East’s porous international borders and rugged terrain to transport drugs from neighboring countries into India.
A Continuing Campaign Against Narcotics
These recent operations form part of DRI’s sustained offensive against narcotics smuggling in the North Eastern Region. Since January 2025, DRI has successfully seized various contrabands including ganja, methamphetamine tablets, and heroin worth an estimated ₹173 crore in the region. A total of 26 individuals have been apprehended in connection with these seizures, highlighting the relentless efforts of the agency to break the backbone of drug syndicates operating across the India-Myanmar corridor.
Conclusion:
The twin drug seizures in Manipur and Assam reflect the heightened vigilance and operational effectiveness of India’s premier anti-smuggling agency. With the North-East increasingly emerging as a focal point in global narcotics trafficking, the DRI’s latest success sends a strong signal of deterrence to traffickers. These back-to-back operations not only disrupted key smuggling routes but also reaffirm India’s unwavering commitment to a drug-free society through coordinated enforcement and strategic intelligence-sharing. As the government continues its fight against the narcotics menace, these actions mark a critical step in safeguarding the nation’s borders and public health.
For more details check press release on PIB website.
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