Mizoram Police arrested three drug peddlers and seized narcotic substances worth an estimated ₹2.35 crore in two separate operations conducted within 24 hours, officials confirmed on Wednesday, 10 June. The haul, spanning Saitual and Champhai districts, underscores the state's growing challenge as a drug trafficking corridor in Northeast India.

Saitual Intercept: 45 kg of Opium Fluid, Two Rajasthan Residents Held

In the first operation, police personnel intercepted a vehicle travelling from Manipur towards Aizawl on the outskirts of Keifang in Saitual district. A thorough inspection of the vehicle revealed 71 packets of suspected opium fluid concealed inside various compartments.

The contraband weighed 45.871 kg and carries an estimated market value of ₹2.29 crore, according to officials. Two drug peddlers — Somraj (36) and Kailash (28), both residents of Jodhpur, Rajasthan — were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Champhai Check Gate: Heroin Found Hidden in Shoes

In a separate operation, personnel stationed at the Khankawn Check Gate in Champhai district stopped a vehicle heading from the border town of Champhai towards Aizawl. A passenger identified as Vanlalnghaka (36), currently residing in Vengsang, Champhai district, aroused suspicion during the inspection.

A detailed search of his black rucksack uncovered a pair of red Reebok shoes. On closer examination, police found two soap cases containing suspected heroin hidden inside the shoes. The seized heroin weighed 29 grams and is estimated to have a market value of ₹6 lakh.

Cases Registered, Probe Underway

Police have registered two separate cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 — one each at Saitual and Champhai police stations. Investigations into both seizures are currently ongoing, officials said.

Myanmar's Shadow: The Corridor Problem

This comes amid longstanding concerns about Mizoram's vulnerability as a drug transit zone. Myanmar's Chin State has long been identified as a major staging point for the smuggling of narcotics, exotic wildlife, and other contraband into India through six Mizoram districts — Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip.

Officials have repeatedly flagged that Mizoram and Manipur have emerged as primary drug trafficking corridors in Northeast India, owing to their extensive and porous international borders with Myanmar. The difficult terrain makes the frontier hard to monitor, posing persistent challenges for law enforcement agencies in the region. The presence of Rajasthan-based peddlers in this operation also points to a wider, multi-state trafficking network exploiting these routes.

With both cases under active investigation, authorities are expected to pursue the supply chain links behind the Saitual seizure in particular, given the scale of the opium haul.