Assam seizes drugs worth ₹3,253 crore, arrests 26,500 since 2021

Assam has emerged as a critical battleground in India's fight against drug trafficking, with authorities seizing narcotics valued at ₹3,253 crore and apprehending 26,500 individuals since 2021, according to state officials. The scale of the operation underscores the magnitude of the contraband problem facing the northeastern state.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed the persistent drug menace to cross-border smuggling networks. He noted that significant quantities of narcotic substances originate in Myanmar and traverse into Assam via established trafficking routes through the states of Mizoram and Manipur. Once inside Assam, these contraband materials are subsequently distributed to other parts of India through an organised supply chain.

The northeastern corridor has long been identified as a vulnerable transit zone for illicit narcotics due to its proximity to source countries and porous borders. The involvement of Mizoram and Manipur as conduit states reflects the interconnected nature of drug trafficking networks operating across the region's international boundaries.

The state government's enforcement efforts represent a significant operational challenge, requiring coordination between multiple agencies and border security forces. The seizure figures indicate sustained anti-narcotics operations, though experts suggest that intercepted quantities represent only a fraction of total smuggling volumes passing through regional networks.