In a major strike against cross-border drug trafficking, the Assam Rifles, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), seized 138.5 kilograms of opium worth an estimated ₹6.9 crores near Sajik Tampak, a sensitive zone close to the Indo–Myanmar border.
The operation, conducted after specific intelligence input, revealed that the contraband was carefully buried underground by cross-border syndicates, highlighting the sophisticated concealment methods used by traffickers operating along the porous border.
Cross-Border Nexus
Officials suspect that the opium was part of a larger smuggling racket that exploits the difficult terrain of Chandel district, a known transit point for narcotics originating in Myanmar’s Golden Triangle. The cache was reportedly intended for movement into mainland India and possibly onward trafficking networks.
Drug syndicates often rely on local couriers and concealed storage points to evade security checks, but the joint surveillance and swift action of Assam Rifles and NCB led to the recovery before it could be distributed.
Legal Action Underway
The seized opium was handed over to the NCB’s Imphal unit for further investigation and prosecution. Legal proceedings will aim to identify the individuals and groups responsible for stockpiling the narcotics.
A senior NCB officer confirmed that efforts are underway to trace the financial trail and uncover the wider network of smugglers. “This seizure is significant both in terms of its sheer volume and the disruption it causes to organised narcotics trade,” the officer noted.
Rising Concern in Manipur
Manipur, sharing a long and porous border with Myanmar, has long battled the menace of narcotics smuggling. While heroin and methamphetamine tablets have been frequent seizures, the recovery of such a large quantity of opium underscores the scale of the ongoing challenge.
Authorities say drug trafficking not only fuels addiction and health crises but also funds insurgent and criminal groups, making counter-narcotics operations a national security imperative.
Assam Rifles’ Role
The Assam Rifles, often referred to as the “Sentinels of the North East”, have consistently played a frontline role in intercepting contraband and curbing illegal cross-border activities. This latest operation adds to a string of successful seizures in the region, reaffirming the force’s commitment to both security and public welfare.