Mizoram, June 1, 2025 —
In a significant blow to cross-border drug trafficking networks, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 9.72 kilograms of methamphetamine tablets in Mizoram. The contraband was found hidden inside a vehicle on the Aizawl-Champhai Highway near Seling on May 30, 2025. The street value of the drugs in the international market is estimated to be a staggering ₹9.72 crore.
Meth Hidden in Secret Car Compartment
DRI officials carried out the operation after receiving intelligence about the movement of drugs through the area. They intercepted a Mahindra XUV500 on National Highway-6, which connects the state capital Aizawl to Champhai, a town near the Myanmar border.
Upon inspection, the officials discovered 10 packets of methamphetamine tablets cleverly hidden in a concealed cavity in the rear seat of the vehicle. This method of hiding narcotics is commonly used by smugglers to avoid detection during routine checks.
Both the vehicle and the drugs have been seized. One person involved in the smuggling has been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which governs drug-related offences in India.
Smuggled from Myanmar via Indo-Myanmar Border
Preliminary investigation revealed that the meth tablets were smuggled into India from Myanmar, using the Zokhawthar border sector. Zokhawthar, located in eastern Mizoram, is a known transit point for illegal trade and smuggling due to its proximity to Myanmar.
The arrested individual is currently being interrogated to identify the wider network and connections behind the operation. Authorities are investigating whether the consignment was meant for distribution within India or for further international trafficking.
DRI’s Ongoing Fight Against Drugs in Mizoram
This seizure is part of DRI’s ongoing crackdown on narcotics in northeast India, a region that is increasingly being used as a transit point for drugs coming in from Southeast Asia, particularly through the Golden Triangle — the border region between Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, known for illicit drug production.
Since January 2025, the DRI has seized over ₹72 crore worth of methamphetamine and heroin in Mizoram alone. These operations have led to the arrest of seven individuals involved in drug trafficking activities.
Officials say that drug smugglers are constantly changing their methods and routes, but security and intelligence agencies are working in coordination to intercept and disrupt these networks.
Strict Laws, Harsh Penalties
Under the NDPS Act, drug trafficking offences attract severe penalties, including rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years, heavy fines, and seizure of assets. The government has made it clear that there will be zero tolerance for drug-related crimes, especially those involving cross-border smuggling.
A senior DRI officer noted, “We are committed to keeping our borders safe and will continue to work with state and central agencies to prevent drug trafficking. Every seizure is a step closer to breaking these dangerous networks.”
The Bigger Picture
Mizoram, due to its long and porous border with Myanmar, is often used by traffickers as a gateway for synthetic drugs and heroin into India. These substances are not only harmful but are often linked with funding organized crime and insurgency in the region.
Authorities are increasing vigilance across the Indo-Myanmar border and enhancing intelligence-sharing mechanisms to track and intercept drug shipments.