Major Drug Bust in Mizoram: Police Seize Heroin Worth Over Rs 4.57 Crore
In a significant crackdown on narcotics smuggling, police officials in Mizoram's Champhai district seized a substantial quantity of heroin on Tuesday, with the contraband estimated to be worth more than Rs 4.57 crore in the international market. The operation, based on intelligence provided by Assam Rifles personnel, led to the arrest of two individuals after a dramatic vehicle chase.
Intelligence-Led Operation Uncovers Heroin Cache
Acting on specific inputs from Assam Rifles personnel stationed at Hnahlan village, officers from the Champhai Police Station conducted a raid on the outskirts of the village. During the search, they discovered 2.288 kilograms of heroin carefully concealed in the area. Initially, no suspects were present at the location, but police found a mobile phone lying near the drug stash.
While examining the contents of the mobile device, officers noticed a photograph that would prove crucial to the investigation. Shortly afterward, they observed a car speeding away from the vicinity. The driver of the vehicle matched the individual whose picture was stored in the recovered phone, prompting immediate police action.
Dramatic Chase Leads to Arrests
Police officials pursued the suspicious car for approximately three kilometers before successfully intercepting it. The chase culminated in the apprehension of two suspects: Mohammed Morsur Barbhuirya, a 36-year-old resident of Hailakandi, Assam, and Umedh Raja Laskar, a 27-year-old from Silchar in Cachar district.
Both individuals have been detained at the Champhai Police Station, where authorities have registered a criminal case against them under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985. The investigation is ongoing as police work to uncover potential connections to larger drug trafficking networks.
Second Heroin Seizure in Same District
In a related development on the same day, Assam Rifles personnel conducted a separate operation in North Diltlang village within Champhai district. Acting on credible intelligence regarding narcotics trafficking in the area, troops intercepted a suspicious two-wheeler vehicle.
When challenged by security forces, both the driver and pillion rider abandoned the vehicle and fled across the border into Myanmar. A thorough search of the abandoned two-wheeler resulted in the recovery of an additional 2.057 kilograms of heroin along with another mobile phone.
The Assam Rifles issued a press release confirming the seizure, highlighting their continued vigilance along the border regions to combat drug smuggling activities. The combined seizures from both operations total over 4.3 kilograms of heroin, representing a significant blow to narcotics trafficking networks operating in the region.
Border Security Challenges
These incidents underscore the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in Mizoram, particularly in border districts like Champhai that share boundaries with Myanmar. The region has historically been vulnerable to cross-border drug trafficking due to its geographical location and porous borders.
Authorities have emphasized the importance of coordinated intelligence sharing between different security agencies, as demonstrated by the successful collaboration between Assam Rifles and local police in these operations. Such cooperation has proven essential in intercepting drug shipments before they can reach domestic markets or be transported to other destinations.
The Mizoram police have intensified their anti-narcotics operations in recent months, responding to increased drug trafficking activities in the northeastern states. These latest seizures represent some of the largest heroin hauls in the region this year and demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing strategies.
