On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, narcotic drugs valued at over Rs 9 crore were destroyed in Mizoram, a report stated.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga in a video message yesterday said to fight the menace of drug abuse which claimed at least 29 lives this year, "Let us all try our level best to fight against drug abuse", adding,"It is the duty and responsibility of every citizen to fight against drug abuse".

The state excise and narcotics department seized different types of drugs worth over Rs. 9.28 crore since June last year. These drugs were burnt in an incinerator at a zoological park near Aizawl.

The destroyed drugs included 6.8 kg of heroin, 5 lakh tablets of Methamphetamine, 173.1 kg of ganja (cannabis), 5,858 capsules and 3,062 tablets of Tramadol, 3,299 tablets of Alprazolam and 367 tablets of Nitrazepam, said, the Excise and Narcotics commissioner Ngurchungnunga Sailo.

According to the department's record, at least 29 people, including three women, have died of drug abuse in Mizoram this year till June 26. A total of 55 people, including 13 women, died due to abuse of heroin and other drugs in 2019.