The Assam Rifles, operating under the Spear Corps of the Army's Eastern Command, intercepted a boat carrying contraband at Jiribam, Manipur on 21 August, recovering narcotics valued at over ₹27 crore and arresting six individuals in a joint operation with the Manipur Police. The haul includes 90,000 Yaba tablets worth approximately ₹27 crore and 48 grams of heroin valued at ₹28.80 lakh.

How the Operation Unfolded

Acting on intelligence inputs, security forces tracked and intercepted a vessel on the waterways near Jiribam. According to the Spear Corps, a swift pursuit led to the apprehension of all six suspects. The operation was conducted in coordination with state police and other agencies, reflecting the multi-agency approach increasingly deployed against narcotics networks in the Northeast.

The Spear Corps confirmed the seizure in a post on X, stating the operation 'delivers a significant blow to narcotics trafficking networks and reaffirms the commitment of the security forces towards a safer and drug-free region.'

What Is Yaba and Why It Matters

Yaba — derived from the Thai phrase for 'crazy medicine' — is a combination of methamphetamine, a powerful and addictive stimulant, and caffeine. Health officials warn that the drug can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, damage small blood vessels in the brain, and trigger strokes. Overdoses have been linked to hyperthermia, convulsions, and death. Users also reportedly experience violent behaviour, paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia.

Notably, Yaba has increasingly crossed regional boundaries. Officials say the tablets enter through India's porous border with Myanmar and are transported not only within northeastern states but also westward — seizures have been recorded in West Bengal from smugglers attempting to move consignments into Bangladesh.

The Narco-Terror Link

Security agencies have documented a clear connection between narcotics trafficking and terrorism financing in the region. The Assam Rifles, mandated to guard India's border with Myanmar alongside counter-insurgency duties, routinely conducts intelligence-based operations to intercept both narcotics and weapons. Officials described the latest seizure as a significant contribution to the Centre's Nasha Mukt Bharat programme.

Pattern of Seizures in the Northeast

This operation is part of a sustained enforcement push in Manipur, which sits on one of Asia's most active drug-trafficking corridors. The state's proximity to the Golden Triangle — the Myanmar-Laos-Thailand tri-border zone that produces a large share of the world's methamphetamine — makes it a primary entry point for Yaba into India. Large-scale seizures in the region have risen sharply over the past three years, according to official data.

With six suspects in custody, investigators are expected to pursue leads on the wider trafficking network, and further arrests cannot be ruled out.