Northeast India remains a hotspot for the trafficking of illegal substances, with significant seizures of drugs, weapons, and smuggled cigarettes in recent months. Authorities have ramped up efforts to curb the rising flow of contraband from Myanmar and other regions. In addition to drug-related offenses, security forces have also cracked down on illegal weapons trade and counterfeit cigarettes, further underscoring the challenge posed by cross-border smuggling operations.
BY PC Bureau
Security forces across northeastern India have intensified their operations to combat the illicit trade of drugs, counterfeit goods, and contraband. States like Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Assam have emerged as critical points in smuggling networks due to their proximity to porous international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Over the past month, joint efforts by Assam Rifles, state police, and customs authorities have led to significant seizures of drugs, fake cigarettes, and illegal liquor, delivering a major blow to these illicit operations.
Major Incidents of Drug Seizures
Manipur
- Churachandpur (January 17, 2025)
Assam Rifles intercepted a cache of drugs worth ₹62 crore in Churachandpur, including 208 soap cases of Brown Sugar valued at ₹12 crore and 2 lakh Yaba tablets worth ₹50 crore. Two individuals were arrested with ₹3.37 lakh in cash and mobile phones containing Myanmar SIM cards. - Moreh (December 29, 2024)<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Manipur?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Manipur</a> | Assam Rifles conducted a successful operation in Churachandpur on January 16, seizing narcotics worth Rs 62 crores and arresting two individuals involved in the drug trade.<br>: Chingsen (36) and L Pausuanlal Simte (38), both from Churachandpur <a href=”https://t.co/NlljFE24IG”>https://t.co/NlljFE24IG</a></p>— Loya Thangjing (@LThang28110) <a href=”https://twitter.com/LThang28110/status/1880546289714426132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Assam Rifles recovered 50,000 WY tablets and 4 kilograms of opium, valued at ₹8 crore, from a truck near the Indo-Myanmar border. - Imphal (January 5, 2025)
Manipur Police seized 5 kilograms of heroin and 10 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, valued at ₹15 crore, from a vehicle originating in Myanmar.
Mizoram
- Champhai District (January 8, 2025)
Security forces recovered 15 kilograms of heroin worth ₹40 crore near the Indo-Myanmar border. - Aizawl (December 22, 2024)
A joint raid by Mizoram Police and Narcotics Control Bureau led to the seizure of 6 kilograms of cocaine and 3 kilograms of methamphetamine, valued at ₹25 crore.
Nagaland
- Dimapur (January 3, 2025)
Law enforcement agencies seized 8 kilograms of brown sugar worth ₹10 crore from a suspected drug storage site. - Kohima (December 25, 2024)
Assam Rifles intercepted a vehicle carrying 3 kilograms of heroin, valued at ₹4 crore.
Assam
- Guwahati (January 10, 2025)
Authorities seized 12 kilograms of cannabis and 2 kilograms of heroin from a courier depot linked to smuggling routes from Mizoram. - Karimganj (December 30, 2024)
BSF personnel intercepted 7 kilograms of methamphetamine worth ₹18 crore near the Bangladesh border.
 Key Incidents of Weapon Seizures in Manipur
In Churachandpur on January 11, 2025, Assam Rifles intercepted a vehicle near Mata Village, recovering 12 assault rifles, including AK-47 and INSAS models, 5 handguns, 2 light machine guns (LMGs), and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Two suspects were arrested, and investigations revealed the weapons were looted from armories during the ethnic clashes in May 2023.
In Imphal West on December 29, 2024, a joint operation with the Manipur Police led to the recovery of a cache of stolen firearms from a suspected insurgent hideout. The seized items included 15 INSAS rifles, 7 pistols, and grenades along with explosive devices. The weapons were reportedly being prepared for sale to insurgent groups operating along the Indo-Myanmar border.
In Moreh on January 5, 2025, Assam Rifles acted on intelligence to conduct a raid near the town, a critical transit point for cross-border smuggling. The operation resulted in the recovery of 10 assault rifles, 6 handguns, and ammunition for various firearms. The weapons were believed to be part of a larger smuggling operation involving networks in Myanmar.
In Bishnupur on December 20, 2024, Manipur Police intercepted a vehicle during a routine check near Loktak Lake. The operation led to the seizure of 8 AK-56 rifles, 3 sniper rifles, and explosives, including C4 blocks. The suspects apprehended admitted to smuggling the arms from Churachandpur to other parts of Manipur.
Analysis of Seizures
A majority of the recovered weapons were looted during the ethnic clashes in May 2023, while cross-border trafficking from Myanmar continues to be a significant contributor. Assault rifles such as AK-47, AK-56, and INSAS models, along with pistols, dominated the seizures. Additionally, sniper rifles, light machine guns, grenades, and explosives were part of the recovered caches. Hotspots for smuggling include Moreh, a critical hub for cross-border trafficking; Churachandpur, known for being a storage and transit point for looted weapons; and Imphal, the central location for the distribution and sale of illegal arms.
Challenges Faced by Security Forces
The porous Indo-Myanmar border allows for easy movement of weapons and contraband, complicating enforcement efforts. Ongoing ethnic tensions in the state make intelligence gathering and operations challenging, as communities are often reluctant to cooperate with law enforcement. Insurgent groups with strong logistical networks and financial resources continue to facilitate the movement of illegal arms.
Efforts to Counter Illegal Arms Trade
Assam Rifles has intensified border patrols and vehicle checks, especially in sensitive areas like Moreh and Churachandpur. Authorities are working to rebuild trust with local communities to encourage cooperation and information sharing. The use of drones and advanced surveillance equipment has been proposed to monitor smuggling routes and storage hubs.
Major Incidents of Liquor Seizures
Manipur
- Pallel, Kakching District (January 18, 2025)
The Manipur Police carried out a targeted operation against liquor smuggling in the Pallel area of Kakching district. The drive resulted in the seizure of 15 IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) quarter bottles, 8 IMFL full bottles, 21 IMFL half bottles, and 186 liters of DIC (Distilled Indigenous Country) liquor.<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>On 18.01.2025, Manipur Police conducted liquor drive at Pallel area under Pallel PS, Kakching District and seized the following items:<br>15(fifteen) nos. of IMFL Quarter bottle, 08(eight) nos. of IMFL Full bottle, 21(twenty-one) nos. of IMFL Half bottle, 186(one hundred eighty-six)… <a href=”https://t.co/1Odbb0je2P”>pic.twitter.com/1Odbb0je2P</a></p>— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) <a href=”https://twitter.com/manipur_police/status/1880789550269923524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script> - Zoveng, Churachandpur District (January 2025)
In a crackdown on illegal liquor activities, the Manipur Police conducted a raid in the Zoveng area under Churachandpur Police Station’s jurisdiction. The confiscated items included 64 beer cans, 25 beer bottles, 24 apple and grape juice bottles, 12 soju bottles, 23 IMFL quarter bottles, 20 IMFL full bottles, 11 IMFL half bottles, and 175 liters of DIC liquor. - Bishnupur (January 9, 2025)
A significant operation by state police in Bishnupur led to the seizure of 2,500 liters of illicit liquor. The contraband was discovered hidden in a warehouse near the Loktak Lake area.
These operations underscore the continued efforts by Manipur Police to combat the menace of illegal liquor production and distribution, which poses a significant threat to public health and safety.
Mizoram
- Lunglei (December 26, 2024): In a joint operation, security forces confiscated 5,000 bottles of smuggled liquor en route to Aizawl.
Assam
- Silchar (January 5, 2025): Assam Police intercepted a vehicle carrying 3,200 bottles of foreign-made liquor suspected to be smuggled from Bhutan.
Seizure of Fake Chinese Cigarettes
Manipur
- Churachandpur (January 10, 2025)
Assam Rifles seized 50 cartons of counterfeit Chinese cigarettes worth ₹25 lakh. - Moreh (January 5, 2025)
Personnel recovered 100 cartons of fake Chinese cigarettes, valued at ₹40 lakh, abandoned by smugglers near the Indo-Myanmar border.
Mizoram
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>ASSAM RIFLES RECOVERS FOREIGN ORIGIN CIGARETTES RS 26 LAKHS IN MIZORAM<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/AssamRifles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#AssamRifles</a> alongwith Customs Preventive Force (Champhai) recovered 20 x cartons of Foreign Origin Cigarettes worth Rs 26 Lakhs in general Area Ngur, Champhai District, Mizoram on 15 Jan 2025.<a href=”https://twitter.com/HMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@HMOIndia</a>… <a href=”https://t.co/EtwEVfobTx”>pic.twitter.com/EtwEVfobTx</a></p>— The Assam Rifles (@official_dgar) <a href=”https://twitter.com/official_dgar/status/1880819791906132067?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
- Champhai District (December 28, 2024)
A truck carrying 70 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes was intercepted, with an estimated value of ₹28 lakh. - Lawngtlai (January 3, 2025)
Assam Rifles raided a storage facility and confiscated 45 cartons of fake cigarettes, worth ₹18 lakh.
Assam
- Silchar (January 8, 2025)
Authorities seized 80 cartons of counterfeit Chinese cigarettes, valued at ₹32 lakh.
Analysis and Trends
- Myanmar as a Source: The porous Indo-Myanmar border remains the primary entry point for drugs, counterfeit goods, and smuggled liquor.
- Emerging Hubs: Churachandpur, Moreh, Champhai, and Dimapur are critical hubs for smuggling operations.
- Variety of Contraband: The seizures indicate a significant presence of heroin, methamphetamine, counterfeit cigarettes, and liquor, reflecting diverse smuggling activities.
The coordinated efforts by Assam Rifles, state police, and other agencies have disrupted smuggling networks across the northeastern states. The seizures not only highlight the scale of the problem but also underscore the need for sustained intelligence-sharing and international cooperation to combat cross-border smuggling effectively. While these operations are commendable, enhanced border security and stricter enforcement mechanisms are essential for long-term success.
