Silchar, March 31 (IANS) In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking, the Assam Rifles, in coordination with Cachar district Police in southern Assam, carried out a successful joint operation leading to the seizure of heroin valued at Rs 7 crore, officials said on Tuesday.

Two drug peddlers were also arrested.

A police official in Cachar district said the operation was launched based on credible intelligence inputs regarding the movement of drugs in the district, which shares inter-state borders with Mizoram and Manipur.

Acting swiftly on the inputs, the joint team intercepted two suspected drug peddlers near Bhaskhandi late on Tuesday night.

Upon thorough checking, heroin consignments were recovered, and the two individuals involved in transporting the contraband were apprehended on the spot.

A vehicle and two mobile phones were also seized from the accused.

All seized items have been handed over to the concerned authorities for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Efforts are currently underway to uncover the larger network behind the trafficking attempt, the official added.

The Assam Rifles and Cachar district Police have intensified their coordinated efforts to curb the menace of drug trafficking in the region.

Officials stated that the latest seizure underscores their sustained commitment to dismantling narcotics networks and ensuring peace and security in the area.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the drugs were smuggled from Myanmar, with plans to ferry the consignment to Bangladesh or other parts of India through Assam or Meghalaya.

Neighbouring state Mizoram shares a 510-km-long unfenced international border with Myanmar and a 318-km-long porous, mountainous border with Bangladesh, making the region particularly vulnerable to cross-border smuggling of drugs and other illegal activities.

Myanmar’s Chin state is considered a major hub for the smuggling of narcotics, arms and ammunition, exotic wildlife, foreign-made cigarettes, Myanmar areca nuts (betel nuts), and other contraband through six districts of Mizoram: Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip.

Among the most commonly trafficked substances from Myanmar are highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, popularly known as Yaba or “party tablets.”

These tablets, often referred to as the “crazy drug,” contain a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine and are strictly banned in India.

–IANS

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