GUWAHATI: The Special Task Force (STF) Assam, in a joint operation with Karimganj Police, successfully seized Rs 100 crore-worth contraband in Suprakandi locality under Nilam Bazar Police Station, in the district on Tuesday.
The operation, executed at approximately 2:15 pm, resulted in the seizure of around 5.1 Kg of Heroin, 64,000 Yaba tablets, and four packets of foreign cigarettes, collectively worth over Rs 100 crore.
The seizure has been touted as the “biggest ever drug haul” by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Commending the joint effort, Sarma, informed that the seized narcotics are of “high quality”.
Sharing an image of the operation on social media, he also informed that four individuals have been arrested along with the drugs.
The apprehended four drug peddlers, includes three women from Mizoram.
They have been identified as Nur Ahmed (Driver) of Patharkandi, Karimganj, Zosangliani, Ramngheaka, and Lalchamliana of Thenzawl locality in Mizoram, the local press reported.
In a statement to the press, the STF Assam also stated that this drug seizure is “likely to be” the most significant in the region in terms of market value (Rs. 100 crores approx.).
Led by DIG Parthasarathi Mahanta and Karimganj Superintendent of Police Partha Protim Das, the operation also resulted in the seizure of a mini-SUV car bearing registration Mizoram registration (MZ 06 A 1422).
In October 2023, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), in a series of operations conducted in Karimganj and Cachar districts, had apprehended eight drug traffickers and seized contraband worth Rs 12 crore.
Mizoram, strategically located as a significant route for the trafficking of heroin and other narcotics from Myanmar, has long been grappling with this persistent issue.
According to statistics released by the Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Department, Mizoram has experienced an alarming upswing in drug-related fatalities, with a total of 68 deaths reported between January and November 2023.
Notably, the current figure has exceeded the 43 drug-related deaths recorded in 2022.
