Assam Police seize 2,098 kg ganja worth ₹12 crore in Kokrajhar op
Synopsis
Assam Police intercepted one of the state's largest recent drug hauls — 2,098 kg of ganja worth up to ₹12 crore — hidden beneath bamboo at a Kokrajhar checkpoint. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's late-night X post signals that the anti-narcotics campaign is being driven as much by political visibility as by policing strategy, with Assam's border geography keeping it at the centre of northeast India's drug transit problem.
Key Takeaways
Assam Police seized 2,098 kg of ganja at the Damrapara Checking Point , Kokrajhar district , on 24 August .
The contraband is estimated to be worth ₹11–12 crore , according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma .
The ganja was concealed beneath bamboo to evade detection during transportation.
Two persons allegedly involved in transporting the consignment were arrested during the operation.
Sarma praised Kokrajhar Police on X , writing 'Raat gayi, baat nahi jaane di' and urging continued action against narcotics trafficking.
Investigators are probing the source, intended destination, and wider trafficking network behind the consignment.
Assam Police seized approximately 2,098 kg of ganja — estimated at ₹11–12 crore — during a major anti-narcotics operation at the Damrapara Checking Point in Kokrajhar district on Monday, 24 August. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the seizure, praising the Kokrajhar Police for the operation. Two persons allegedly involved in transporting the contraband were apprehended at the site.
How the Consignment Was Concealed
According to Chief Minister Sarma, the ganja had been hidden beneath bamboo in an apparent bid to evade detection during transit. The concealment method points to a degree of premeditation, with traffickers exploiting the movement of agricultural produce as cover. The consignment was intercepted at the Damrapara Checking Point, underscoring the role of fixed surveillance posts in disrupting drug supply chains.
What the Chief Minister Said
Sarma shared details of the operation on X (formerly Twitter), writing 'Raat gayi, baat nahi jaane di' — a phrase signalling that the night passed, but the matter did not go undetected. He estimated the street value of the seized ganja at ₹11–12 crore and urged Assam Police to sustain its anti-narcotics momentum. 'Keep up the good work, Assam Police,' Sarma wrote in his post.
Assam as a Narcotics Transit Route
The seizure is consistent with a broader pattern. Assam shares both international and inter-state borders, making it a significant transit corridor for contraband moving across the region. Authorities have progressively intensified surveillance at vulnerable checkpoints, and Monday's recovery is among the larger single-operation seizures reported from the state in recent months. This comes amid a sustained campaign by the Assam government to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating through the northeast.
Investigation and What Comes Next
The two accused are expected to be questioned to establish links with the wider trafficking network allegedly responsible for sourcing and distributing the consignment. Investigators are probing the origin of the ganja, its intended destination, and the chain of individuals involved. Authorities say the case is expected to yield leads into how large consignments are being routed through Assam's border districts.
Point of View
But it also reflects a now-familiar pattern: a large seizure, a CM post on X, and public praise for local police. The political optics are deliberate — Sarma has made anti-drug operations a signature of his administration. What remains less visible is the structural question: why does Assam continue to serve as a high-volume transit corridor despite years of intensified checking? The two arrested individuals are foot soldiers; the real test of this operation's value lies in whether investigators can trace the network upstream, to source and financier. Checkpoint seizures, however large, are ultimately reactive. A proactive intelligence-led model targeting trafficking networks at origin would be a sterner measure of the campaign's depth.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much ganja was seized in the Assam Kokrajhar operation?
Assam Police seized approximately 2,098 kg of ganja during the operation at the Damrapara Checking Point in Kokrajhar district on 24 August. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma estimated the street value of the consignment at ₹11–12 crore.
How was the contraband concealed?
According to Chief Minister Sarma, the ganja was hidden beneath bamboo in the vehicle to evade detection at the checkpoint. The concealment method suggests a deliberate attempt to disguise the drugs as agricultural cargo during transportation.
Who was arrested in the Kokrajhar drug bust?
Two persons allegedly involved in transporting the contraband were apprehended at the Damrapara Checking Point during the operation. They are expected to be questioned to help investigators map the wider trafficking network.
What did CM Himanta Biswa Sarma say about the seizure?
Sarma praised Kokrajhar Police in a post on X, writing 'Raat gayi, baat nahi jaane di' to highlight the overnight interception. He also said 'Keep up the good work, Assam Police,' and estimated the seized ganja's value at ₹11–12 crore.
Why is Assam a key narcotics transit route?
Assam shares international and inter-state borders, making it a significant corridor for contraband moving across northeast India. Authorities have stepped up surveillance at vulnerable checkpoints, though the state's geography continues to make it a preferred route for trafficking networks.
