Assam tops drug trafficking arrests in East, Northeast; Manipur leads heroin seizures
Drug trafficking networks from Myanmar's Golden Triangle are flooding Northeast India. Assam leads arrests. Manipur drowns in heroin. See the full 2026 data.
By Sweekriti Raj | 2026-05-23T17:16:03.980994+05:30
Drug trafficking is a growing problem in India. The eastern and northeastern states are the most affected. A new report based on Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) data has revealed shocking facts. It covers 12 states over five years — from 2020 to 2024.
The report shows which states have the most drug cases, arrests, and seizures. The findings are serious and need attention.
What the NCB Report Says
Assam has recorded the highest number of drug trafficking arrests in eastern and northeastern India over the last five years. Manipur emerged as the biggest hotspot for heroin seizures. Odisha topped the country in ganja recoveries. This is according to the new NCB cross-border drug trafficking and seizure report.
The report covers 12 states in eastern and northeastern India. It gives a clear picture of the drug problem in the region.
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Assam: Highest Drug Arrests in the Region
Source: News4BharatThe meeting was led by Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota. Officials reviewed the progress of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD). Senior police officers, the NCB Director General, and representatives from intelligence agencies attended the meeting.
District administrations were asked to identify at least 10 drug hotspots and trafficking routes in their areas each.
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Manipur: The Heroin Capital of Northeast India
Manipur shares a long and porous border with Myanmar, making it one of the biggest entry points for heroin in the region.
Manipur emerged as the most sensitive heroin trafficking zone. Between 2020 and 2024, enforcement agencies seized 1,750.34 kg of heroin. Officials called it a “high-value trafficking risk profile” because of its close location to Myanmar and the Golden Triangle.
The Manipur heroin seizures continued at a massive scale in 2025 and 2026.
In 2025, drugs worth ₹335 crore were seized in Manipur. In 2026, seizures worth ₹75 crore have already been reported. These efforts align with the Government of India's vision of making Manipur a drug-free state.
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In January 2026, a major bust happened near the Myanmar border.
The NCB Imphal Zonal Unit seized 7.3 kg of high-grade heroin hidden inside 638 soap cases. Two drug traffickers were arrested. The seized drugs were worth around ₹15 crore in the illegal market.
In April 2026, another joint operation made a big seizure.
The NCB, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police carried out a joint operation in Churachandpur district. Officials stopped a Gypsy vehicle and a motorcycle during the operation.
During the search, they found 374 soap cases filled with heroin weighing 4.267 kg, worth around ₹8.5 crore. Two people were arrested. Initial investigation revealed that the drugs had come from Haichin in Myanmar.
The Golden Triangle Drug Route: How Drugs Enter India
The Golden Triangle drug route is at the center of the crisis and is considered one of Asia’s most dangerous drug trafficking corridors.
A large amount of drugs entering Manipur comes from the Golden Triangle region, which includes Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.
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The cross-border drug route usually works like this:
In May 2026, the Narcotics Control Bureau busted a major international drug network and arrested Myanmar-based drug kingpin Thancintuang, also known as Chintuang, from Delhi.
He was accused of supplying methamphetamine and heroin through northeastern states and was linked to seven NDPS cases. Officials said the network was worth around ₹115 crore.
In December 2025, the NCB and Central Reserve Police Force seized 5.9 kg of methamphetamine near Aizawl and arrested eight people, including syndicate kingpin Jabrul Hoque from Karimganj.
The drugs were smuggled through the Indo-Myanmar border near Champhai and were being transported to Sonamura before reaching Bangladesh.
Mizoram: The Synthetic Drug Hub of the Region
Mizoram is facing a major challenge from synthetic drug trafficking because it shares a 510-km porous border with Myanmar.
According to the NCB report, Mizoram recorded the highest seizures of synthetic drugs among 12 states. Authorities seized 2,218.27 kg of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) between 2020 and 2024.
In financial year 2025–26, the Excise and Narcotics Department arrested 652 drug traffickers and seized 487.128 kg of illegal drugs along with 35 ganja plants.
Under Operation Jericho, launched in September 2025, authorities seized drugs worth around ₹317.30 crore. Mizoram Home Minister K. Sapdanga said "The operation helped block several major smuggling routes."
In April 2026, Mizoram Police carried out six separate operations and seized drugs worth more than ₹25 crore within one week. The biggest seizure included 19.836 kg of Yaba tablets hidden inside a secret compartment in a vehicle, worth around ₹15.87 crore.
"These achievements reflect the intensified enforcement strategy and operational success achieved by NCB NER in targeting organised interstate and transnational drug trafficking syndicates."
— NCB Official Statement, May 2026
Summing Up
Drug trafficking cases and arrests in Northeast India are at their highest level. Assam has recorded the most cases and arrests, while Manipur saw the highest heroin seizures in eastern and northeastern India. Drugs continue to enter India from Myanmar through the Golden Triangle route.
From 2020 to 2026, drug trafficking kept increasing. Police and enforcement agencies stepped up their action, but drug smuggling networks also became larger and smarter.
Experts believe that public awareness, community support, and better teamwork between agencies are important to control the drug problem and make anti-drug efforts more effective.