Heroin, Meth Worth Rs 76 Cr Recovered in Manipur, One Held

In a massive blow to the trans-border narcotics trade in Northeast India, security forces seized heroin and methamphetamine tablets worth nearly Rs 76 crore during a joint riverine operation in Manipur’s Jiribam district on Sunday.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a combined team of the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and CRPF launched a strategic patrol along the Barak River — a known trafficking route — between Chaudharykhal and Savomphai, straddling the Jiribam and Phezarwal district border.

During the patrol, the team intercepted a suspicious boat navigating the river. Upon being challenged, the boatman attempted to flee, triggering a chase. The boat was eventually intercepted, and a thorough search led to the discovery of 616 soap cases filled with heroin and 50,000 methamphetamine tablets, both concealed within the vessel.

One individual, identified as a resident of Silchar in neighbouring Assam, was apprehended in connection with the seizure.

According to officials, the recovered contraband has a combined market value of around Rs 76 crore, making it one of the largest drug hauls in the region in recent months.

Security forces suspect the narcotics were smuggled in from across the international border, with Manipur’s river networks being exploited as conduits for high-volume drug trafficking.

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