Northeast Desk, 29th December: In a significant development, Assam Rifles has reported a remarkable increase in drug seizures in Mizoram this year, totaling drugs worth Rs 956 crore. This marks a substantial surge of over 50% compared to the drug seizures recorded in the previous year.
Comparative Data from 2022
Assam Rifles’ data reveals that in 2022, the paramilitary force recovered drugs worth Rs 330.93 crore, highlighting a stark contrast to the current year’s significant spike in seizures.
Breakdown of Seized Drugs in 2023
During operations conducted throughout the year, Assam Rifles seized 33kg of heroin valued at Rs 546.62 crore, a substantial rise from the mere 1.5kg of narcotics worth Rs 40.87 crore seized in 2022. Additionally, the force recovered 3kg of opium valued at Rs 1.8 lakh, 20.5kg of poppy seeds worth Rs 53 lakh, and 25.95kg of ganja (cannabis) valued at Rs 18.48 lakh.
The seizures also included more than 12 lakh tablets of methamphetamine, with a staggering worth exceeding Rs 339 crore, and 98,000 tablets of triprolidine worth Rs 9.8 crore.
Comparison with Previous Year’s Seizures
In contrast, the data from the previous year indicates that Assam Rifles seized 8.85 lakh tablets of methamphetamine valued at Rs 289.83 crore and 1.9 lakh tablets of pseudoephedrine worth Rs 11.88 lakh.
Contraband Items Recovery
Apart from drugs and narcotics, Assam Rifles recovered various contraband items such as areca nuts, foreign cigarettes, and liquor, primarily smuggled from Myanmar. The total value of these confiscated items reached Rs 96 crore during the year.
Recent Narcotics Seizure in Champhai District
Simultaneously, officials from the excise and narcotics department seized 835 grams of heroin and apprehended two individuals in the Mualzen area of Champhai district, near the Myanmar border. The accused, Lalngaihawma (26) from Nghalchawm village in Mamit district, and Lalruattluanga (28) from Ainawn Veng in Aizawl, face charges under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, according to an official statement.
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