Drugs worth Rs 88 crore seized; Amit Shah says no mercy for drug cartels
NEW DELHI: A significant drug bust has led to the seizure of methamphetamine tablets valued at Rs 88 crore, with four members of an international drug cartel arrested in operations conducted in Imphal and Guwahati zones, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Sunday.
In a statement on X, Shah emphasized that there would be no leniency towards drug cartels and praised the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for their effective operation. He noted that the successful drug haul exemplifies the effectiveness of a comprehensive investigative approach.
The initial operation was conducted on March 13, when NCB officers from the Imphal Zone, following a tip-off, stopped a truck at the Lilong area. On thorough inspection, 102.39 kg of methamphetamine tablets were found hidden inside the toolbox and rear cabin of the truck, for which two people were arrested. Yet another operation resulted in the arrest of a suspected drug receiver from the same area and seizure of a vehicle used for transportation.
The investigations pointed to the source of the drugs at Moreh, a town in Manipur, and other members of the drug cartel are being pursued. In another operation on the same day, NCB personnel in the Guwahati Zone intercepted an SUV at the Assam-Mizoram border and seized 7.48 kg of methamphetamine concealed in the spare wheel. The drugs were also traced to Moreh, with Karimganj emerging as a likely destination.
Additionally, the NCB has taken over an investigation from the Mizoram State Excise Department, where 46 kg of crystal methamphetamine was seized in Aizawl on March 6, resulting in the arrest of four individuals connected to the drug syndicate. The NCB is now exploring the international and inter-state connections of the trafficking network.
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