A joint team of Assam Rifles and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Police, seized 5.60 lakh amphetamine tablets worth approximately ₹ 168 crore. In the operation, an alleged drug trafficker has been arrested and a truck used to transport drugs has also been seized.
This operation was conducted in Jujang hills of Lakhipur area of Kacharadh district on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. According to officials, the total weight of the seized tablets was around 60 kg and the estimated market value was more than Rs 168 crore.
Assam Rifles and DRI's investigative unit conducted a targeted operation after receiving information about a large movement of drugs. The security team kept a vigil on a suspicious vehicle in Jujang Hill area and stopped and searched it.
During the search approximately 5,60,000 tonnes of amphetamine or amphetamine tablets were recovered. In this incident, a person is arrested, whom the officials refer to as an alleged drug trafficker.
The truck allegedly used to transport drugs has also been seized. The accused person, seized drugs and vehicle have been handed over to the concerned agency for further legal action.
Investigative agencies are now collecting information about the source of the challan, people associated with it and possible destination. It is being investigated whether the arrested person is part of any larger inter-state drug trafficking network.
In such an investigation, things like phone records, communications, financial transactions and vehicle movements may be examined. But all the official information regarding such investigation in this case has not been released yet.
According to Assam Rifles, the seized challan is suspected to be coming from neighboring Manipur. It is initially suspected that it was being taken to Assam via National Highway-3 through Imphal-Jiribam route.
Preliminary assessment by investigative agencies sees Kachara and Sribhoomi districts as potentially important transit corridors for the alleged inter-state drug trafficking network. There is a danger of drugs being sent to Assam and other parts of the country through this route.
A synthetic stimulant drug made from methamphetamine. According to available reports, these tablets contain caffeine along with methamphetamine and are often abused as stimulants. This substance can be highly addictive and have serious health effects.
Illicit trade in drug routes involving India's north-eastern region and neighboring countries has been a matter of long-standing concern. But a final decision about the structure of the entire network cannot be reached on the basis of recovery of any one trace. More information about the network may become available as information emerges about other accused, suppliers and possible destinations in the investigation.
The north-eastern region of India is connected to several international borders. The long and largely unfenced border with Myanmar poses a challenge to security agencies. The areas adjacent to Myanmar have long been viewed as a potential source and transit area for various drug traffickers, including heroin and methamphetamine.
The borders of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Amritchal Pradesh are connected with Myanmar. Due to hilly and forest areas and many small and big routes, surveillance in these areas becomes complicated. Security agencies therefore conducted operations in the border areas as well as important transport routes inside the state.
The location of Kacharada is important in this context, because it is connected with Manipur and other areas of North-Eastern region through road connectivity. Organizations fear that traffickers may use this route to send illegal invoices further afield.
Arrested person is one of the important centers of investigation. The organizations are trying to get information about who gave the challan from him, where it was to be delivered and what kind of payment was to be made in return for it.
In case of recovery of big money, efforts are made to identify possible associates and other persons on the basis of information received from an accused. But the allegations against the arrested person are still under investigation and his guilt has not been proven in the court. Therefore he is being mentioned as an alleged accused.
After the recovery of methamphetamine consignment estimated to be worth Rs 168 crore, the investigation is now moving towards other parts of the alleged inter-state network. Presently one person has been arrested and drugs along with the truck have been seized.
Initial investigation has revealed the possibility of transportation through NH-37 coming from Chalanthi, Manipur. Kacharadh and Shreebhoomi are being considered as possible transit routes.
According to Assam Rifles, the aim of the operation is to keep the youth of the north-eastern region safe from the drug network and to create obstacles in the smuggling routes. The concerned agencies are continuing further investigation and legal proceedings.