Major Drug Bust in Mizoram: Over ₹1.44 Crore Worth of Contraband Seized

In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Assam Rifles and local authorities in Mizoram have seized contraband worth over ₹1.44 crore and arrested 11 individuals, including two women. The operations, which targeted illegal foreign cigars and heroin, highlight the ongoing issue of smuggling across the porous borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh. With multiple arrests and substantial drug recoveries, this operation underscores the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in combating drug-related crimes in the region. Read on to learn more about the details of these operations and the implications for drug trafficking in Mizoram.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 5, 2025, 17:15 IST

Significant Drug Seizure in Mizoram

Aizawl, July 5: In a significant operation, the Assam Rifles, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, have confiscated contraband valued at more than ₹1.44 crore and apprehended 11 individuals involved in drug trafficking, including two women, in Mizoram within the last 24 hours.

According to officials, acting on credible intelligence regarding the transport of illegal foreign cigars in the Siaha District, an Area Domination Patrol (ADP) was initiated by the Assam Rifles alongside the Mizoram police in the Tlangpuikawn region.

During this operation, security forces stopped four vehicles and seized 83 cartons of foreign cigars (Burmese Cheroot) estimated to be worth ₹62.25 lakh.

Four suspects, aged between 20 and 27 years, were taken into custody in connection with this seizure.

In a separate incident, the Assam Rifles, in collaboration with the Excise and Narcotics Department, set up a checkpoint on the New Dawn to Hnahthial road in Siaha District, where they apprehended four individuals.

A thorough search led to the discovery of 109.08 grams of heroin, valued at ₹81.81 lakh, among the four traffickers, which included two women.

In another operation, Assam Rifles and state police arrested three individuals in the Chawngte area of Lunglei District, recovering 373 packets containing around 124 liters of locally produced alcohol worth ₹93,250.

All 11 individuals arrested, along with the confiscated drugs and contraband, have been handed over to the police for further legal proceedings.

Authorities suspect that the contraband was smuggled from Myanmar, as the Siaha District shares an unfenced border with the country, while the Lunglei District borders Bangladesh.

Myanmar's Chin state is notorious for being a hub for the smuggling of various drugs, exotic wildlife, and other illegal goods through six districts in Mizoram: Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip.

Mizoram has a total of 510 km of unfenced border with Myanmar and 318 km with Bangladesh.