){kind=link}
May 28: In a significant blow to drug trafficking operations in India’s North-Eastern corridor, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in coordination with Assam Rifles, seized a large consignment of narcotics valued at approximately ₹23.5 crore in two back-to-back operations. The crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to combat the rising drug menace in the region.
On May 21, 2025, the DRI, with support from 19 BN Assam Rifles, intercepted a suspicious truck on National Highway-37 at Noney, Manipur. Upon detailed inspection, officials uncovered 569 grams of heroin and 1,039 grams of methamphetamine tablets skillfully concealed in a specially fabricated cavity within the truck’s chassis. This hidden compartment was ingeniously designed to evade detection during routine checks.
The following day, on May 22, 2025, a second operation was carried out by the DRI in collaboration with the FIU Unit of Assam Rifles, Silchar, in Aloicherra, Hailakandi District, Assam. This operation led to the seizure of 2,640.53 grams of heroin, again found inside a specially constructed chamber under the truck’s bedload floor. The sophisticated concealment techniques highlight the growing sophistication of drug smuggling networks operating in the region.
The seized contraband, comprising heroin and methamphetamine, was estimated to be worth around ₹23.5 crore in the international grey market. The DRI has arrested four individuals connected to these smuggling attempts. Legal proceedings are underway, with all actions being taken under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
These operations are part of a broader, intensified crackdown led by DRI since the beginning of 2025. To date, narcotics valued at ₹173 crore — including heroin, meth tablets, and ganja — have been confiscated from the North-East alone, resulting in the arrest of 26 individuals involved in drug trafficking networks.
The DRI’s continued success underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation and the strategic significance of the North-East in transnational drug trade routes. These efforts serve as a strong warning to traffickers and reinforce the government’s commitment to a drug-free India.