DRI Seizes 76 Kg Methamphetamine in Two Operations Along Northeast Frontier

Ø  Contraband was concealed in specially fabricated cavities in automobiles; two persons arrested

·         Major narcotics seizure: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 76 kg of suspected methamphetamine tablets in two intelligence-led operations in Assam and Mizoram.

·         Two arrests: Two persons were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

·         Assam operation – 56 kg seized: On 25 August 2026, DRI, assisted by the 38th Battalion, Assam Rifles, intercepted a 12-wheeler truck at Lalpani near the Assam-Manipur border.

·         Concealed cavity detected: Officers found a specially fabricated cavity behind the driver's seat containing 36 one-kg packets and 100 packets weighing 200 grams each.

·         Drug identification: Field testing indicated the presence of amphetamine, with the tablets suspected to be methamphetamine.

·         Vehicle seized: The 56 kg contraband and truck were seized under the NDPS Act, and the vehicle occupant was arrested.

·         Mizoram operation – 20 kg seized: Earlier, on 18 August 2026, DRI intercepted a car on the Aizawl–Champhai Road and recovered 20 kg of suspected methamphetamine tablets.

·         Sophisticated concealment: The drugs were hidden in specially designed cavities in the vehicle’s rocker panels/side sills and between the fuel tank and floor.

·         Myanmar connection: Preliminary investigation indicated that the 20 kg consignment had been smuggled from Myanmar into Mizoram through the ZokhawtharChamphai sector.

·         Vehicle and driver seized: The 20 kg contraband and vehicle were seized, and the driver was arrested.

·         Legal consequences: Methamphetamine is classified as a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, with illicit manufacture, possession, transportation and trafficking attracting stringent penalties.

·         Significance: The seizures highlight continued DRI enforcement against cross-border narcotics trafficking along India’s northeastern frontier, particularly routes linked to Myanmar.

 

[ABS News Service/28.08.2026]

Continuing its sustained crackdown on narcotics trafficking along North-Eastern frontier, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in two intelligence-led operations in Assam and Mizoram has seized 76 kg Methamphetamine tablets. Two persons have been arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

On 25.08.26, in the latest intelligence led operation, the officers of DRI, assisted by personnel of 38th Battalion, Assam Rifles, Silchar, intercepted a suspect 12-wheeler truck at Lalpani, around 40 km from Silchar near the Assam-Manipur border. The truck was identified from among a large convoy of vehicles arriving from Jiribam, Manipur.

Thorough examination of the truck led to the detection of a specially fabricated concealed cavity in the driver’s cabin behind the driver’s seat, which contained 36 brick-sized packets weighing 1 kg each and 100 smaller packets weighing 200 grams each, containing pinkish-orange tablets suspected to be Methamphetamine.

Preliminary testing of the samples using the field detection kit indicated the presence of Amphetamine. The recovered contraband, weighing 56 kg along with the truck was seized under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. The occupant of the vehicle was also arrested.

Earlier, on 18.08.2026, in another intelligence-led operation along the Aizawl–Champhai Road in Mizoram, officers of DRI intercepted a car at Bung Bangla, approximately 30 km from Aizawl. Detailed rummaging of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 64 assorted-sized packets containing 20 kg of pinkish-orange tablets suspected to be methamphetamine, concealed inside specially designed deep cavities in the rocker panels/side sills along both sides of the vehicle and in the space between the fuel tank and the floor of the car.

Tests conducted using the NDPS field test kit indicated the presence of amphetamine. Preliminary investigation indicated that the drugs had been smuggled from Myanmar into Mizoram through the ZokhawtharChamphai sector. The 20 kg contraband along with the vehicle used for its transportation, was seized under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. The driver of the vehicle was arrested.

Methamphetamine is a potent synthetic psychostimulant with a high potential for abuse and dependence. Its illicit consumption can cause serious physical and psychological consequences, including cardiovascular complications, agitation, paranoia and psychosis, while prolonged abuse can lead to severe dependence and neurological and behavioural impairment. Methamphetamine is notified as a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, 1985, and its illicit manufacture, possession, transportation and trafficking attract stringent penal consequences.