Aizawl, June 19: Authorities in Mizoram have intensified their efforts against drug trafficking, leading to the arrest of three women involved in smuggling operations from Myanmar. The security forces seized heroin valued at ₹4.75 crore during this operation.
According to a spokesperson from the defense department, the Assam Rifles collaborated with Mizoram police to establish a joint checkpoint in the Keifang area of Saitual district after receiving credible intelligence about drug trafficking activities.
During the operation, the joint team apprehended the three women and confiscated 634 grams of heroin, estimated to be worth ₹4.755 crore in the illegal market. The seized drugs and the arrested individuals have been handed over to the Mizoram police for further investigation and legal action.
Saitual district shares its borders with Manipur and has an international boundary with Myanmar. An official statement highlighted that this seizure reaffirms the Assam Rifles’ strong commitment to combat drug trafficking and ensure the safety and welfare of the people in Mizoram.
Officials noted a concerning trend where women in Mizoram are increasingly becoming involved in the smuggling of narcotics from Myanmar to other states in India. Earlier this month, Mizoram police conducted a significant operation in the bordering Champhai district, arresting eight women in six separate operations on the same day, seizing heroin worth over ₹70 lakh.
These eight women, aged between 19 and 53, hailed from various districts in Mizoram. The Mizoram police stated that these seizures were part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking along the India-Myanmar border through regular checking operations. Many women have previously been arrested for their involvement in drug trafficking activities.
Myanmar’s Chin state has long been recognized as a primary route for smuggling narcotics, rare wildlife, explosives, and other prohibited goods into India. These items are brought into India through Mizoram’s six bordering districts: Champhai, Siaha, Lunglei, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip, which share a 510-kilometer international border with Myanmar. This mountainous region lacks fencing, making it highly sensitive to cross-border smuggling and the movement of illegal goods.
Security agencies have repeatedly expressed concerns that international trafficking gangs exploit this open border. For law enforcement agencies, preventing drug trafficking in this area remains one of their greatest challenges.
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