Imphal, April 28 (IANS) The Narcotics Control Bureau, in close coordination with the Assam Rifles and state police, has arrested two drug peddlers and seized 4.267 kilograms of heroin worth Rs 8.5 crore in Manipur, dismantling a trafficking module linked to Myanmar, officials said on Tuesday.​

The joint operation, carried out on Tuesday, led to the recovery of 374 soap cases containing heroin, weighing approximately 4.267 kg and valued at Rs 8.5 crore in the international market, an official confirmed.​

Describing the operation as a major breakthrough against cross-border drug trafficking, the official said that the Narcotics Control Bureau’s Imphal Zonal Unit, working closely with the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, conducted the raid in a remote area near Khuakhual in Churachandpur district, which shares an international border with Myanmar.​

During the operation, authorities intercepted a Gypsy vehicle and a Kenbo motorcycle. A thorough search resulted in the seizure of the heroin consignment weighing approximately 4.267 kg. Two individuals involved in the trafficking network were arrested on the spot.​

Officials also recovered two wireless communication devices that the accused used to coordinate the transportation of the contraband.​

Preliminary investigations revealed that the heroin originated from Haichin in Myanmar, with Churachandpur district identified as the intended destination. The hilly district also shares an inter-state border with Mizoram.​

The official said that the seizure highlights the persistent challenge of drug trafficking along the Indo-Myanmar border, which remains a vulnerable route exploited by transnational drug syndicates.​

The Narcotics Control Bureau has been intensifying its operations across the northeastern region, particularly along the Indo-Myanmar border, to dismantle drug trafficking networks and disrupt supply chains.​

This latest seizure adds to a series of successful operations conducted by the agency in Manipur, underscoring its sustained efforts to curb the inflow of narcotics.​

According to officials, drugs worth Rs 335 crore were seized in Manipur in 2025, while seizures in 2026 have already reached Rs 75 crore.​

The official added that these efforts align with the Government of India’s vision to make Manipur a drug-free state, with a strong focus on inter-agency coordination, intelligence-driven operations, and strict enforcement against traffickers.​

Further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the network and to trace both forward and backward linkages in the case.​

Notably, five districts in Manipur — Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kamjong, and Ukhrul — share a 398-km-long unfenced international border with Myanmar, making the region particularly vulnerable to cross-border trafficking activities.​

–IANS

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