Agartala: In a major blow to drug trafficking networks in the Northeast, the Assam Rifles and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have seized methamphetamine tablets worth Rs. 45 crore in a joint operation in Tripura and arrested a suspected drug peddler.
Officials said the operation was carried out following specific intelligence inputs.
A truck was intercepted at Mungiakami in Khowai district, where a detailed search led to the recovery of around 4.5 lakh methamphetamine tablets.
The highly addictive tablets, commonly known as Yaba or “party tablets”, are banned in India and have a high street value in the illegal narcotics market.
One person, identified as Hafijul Hoque (42), a resident of Udalguri district in Assam, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
The recovered contraband and the accused have been handed over to the DRI for further investigation and legal action.
In a separate operation on Sunday, Assam Rifles personnel also intercepted a truck in Manipur’s Noney district after setting up a mobile vehicle check post based on intelligence inputs related to cigarette smuggling.
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The vehicle, travelling from Churachandpur towards Kangpokpi, was found carrying 88 cartons of foreign-made cigarettes worth Rs. 2.9 crore.
Two individuals were apprehended, and the consignment was handed over to the DRI for further proceedings.
Security officials suspect that both the methamphetamine tablets and the foreign-made cigarettes were smuggled from Myanmar, which remains a major transit route for drugs entering India through the northeastern region.
Authorities said the twin operations reflect intensified coordination between security forces and revenue intelligence agencies to curb narcotics trafficking and cross-border smuggling in the Northeast.
