Assam Rifles personnel seized 9.391 kg of methamphetamine tablets worth more than Rs 28 crore during a security operation in Mizoram’s Champhai district. The force arrested one person in connection with the drug haul, officials said.
The operation took place on Sunday at Ngur village in East Champhai. Troops noticed suspicious movement involving a pickup van and immediately intercepted the vehicle.
Drugs Hidden in Spare Tyre
During a detailed search, Assam Rifles personnel recovered a large quantity of methamphetamine tablets. The smugglers had concealed the drugs inside the spare tyre of the pickup van to avoid detection.
Officials said the method indicated careful planning by the traffickers. However, alert troops foiled the attempt through timely action and close monitoring of the area.
Accused Taken into Custody
Security personnel arrested the driver of the vehicle on the spot. The accused is a resident of Assam and was transporting the drugs illegally.
After completing preliminary formalities, Assam Rifles handed over the seized narcotics and the arrested individual to Champhai district police. Police registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and began further investigation.
Champhai a Key Transit Route
Officials said drug traffickers continue to exploit Mizoram’s border districts as transit routes. Champhai shares a porous international border with Myanmar, which makes the region vulnerable to cross-border smuggling.
Synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine tablets, commonly known as yaba, frequently pass through these routes. Authorities have identified the area as a hotspot for narcotics movement in the Northeast.
Second Major Seizure in Four Days
This seizure marked the second major drug bust by Assam Rifles in Mizoram within just four days. On January 14, troops seized 9.8 kg of methamphetamine tablets at Zembawk, near the northeastern outskirts of Aizawl.
That earlier consignment was valued at around Rs 29.4 crore. Assam Rifles also arrested one person in that case, further highlighting the scale of drug trafficking activities in the region.
Security Agencies Step Up Vigilance
Officials said the back-to-back seizures reflect improved intelligence gathering and coordinated action. Assam Rifles have increased patrols, vehicle checks, and surveillance along key routes.
The force continues to work closely with Mizoram Police and other agencies. Their goal is to dismantle drug networks and prevent narcotics from reaching local communities.
Authorities stressed that drug trafficking poses a serious threat to youth and public safety. Investigators are now working to identify the source and destination of the seized consignment and trace other members of the trafficking network.
