Agartala/Aizawl, June 27 (IANS) The Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the Customs Department, seized a large consignment of highly addictive methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs 5 crore in Tripura on Saturday, marking another major success in the fight against narcotics trafficking in the Northeast.

A defence spokesman said that the operation was carried out in the Mungiakami area of Khowai district based on specific intelligence inputs. During the operation, the joint team intercepted a vehicle suspected of carrying narcotics. However, on noticing the security personnel, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into a densely populated area, evading arrest.

A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of approximately 50,000 methamphetamine tablets with an estimated market value of more than Rs 5 crore. The recovered narcotics and the seized vehicle have been handed over to the Customs Department for further investigation and legal action.

The successful operation reflects the unwavering commitment of the Assam Rifles, in close coordination with the Customs Department, to curb narcotics trafficking and ensure peace and security in the region, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, in Mizoram, the Assam Rifles organised interaction programmes with village authorities, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Young Mizo Association (YMA) leaders at Zokhawthar, Khawbung and Farkawn in Champhai district, and Sangau in Lawngtlai district, as part of its continued efforts to strengthen civil-military cooperation and promote peace in border areas.

Around 40 participants, including Village Council Presidents, CSO representatives and YMA leaders, attended the programmes. During the interactions, participants discussed border security, measures to curb drug trafficking and other illegal activities, public welfare, local grievances and ways to strengthen civil-military coordination for community development.

The meetings provided a common platform to enhance mutual understanding, improve coordination and reinforce cooperation in maintaining peace and harmony along the India-Myanmar border.

In Manipur, the Assam Rifles, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Imphal, organised a high-impact Training-cum-Awareness Programme at the Mantripukhri Garrison in Imphal East district.

The programme was aligned with this year’s global theme, “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” and aimed at equipping frontline security personnel with advanced knowledge and practical skills to combat drug trafficking.

According to the defence spokesman, experts from the NCB conducted intensive technical sessions focusing on the evolving narcotics scenario in Manipur, methods for identifying various contraband substances and the latest trends in drug trafficking.

Participants were also trained on the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the legal framework under the newly enforced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to strengthen operational effectiveness and ensure lawful enforcement.

Highlighting the importance of inter-agency coordination, senior Assam Rifles officers felicitated the visiting NCB officials, and the programme concluded with a commemorative group photograph. Nearly 220 personnel from the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles participated in the training programme.

The spokesman said the initiative has significantly strengthened coordination between specialised narcotics intelligence agencies and security forces, enhancing their collective capability to combat drug trafficking, assist law enforcement agencies and systematically dismantle the drug network operating in the region.

–IANS

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