CISF seizes 420g suspected ganja at Imphal Airport from Delhi-bound flyer
Synopsis
A routine X-BIS scan at Imphal Airport led CISF personnel to intercept 420 grams of suspected cannabis hidden in a Delhi-bound passenger's luggage — a small but telling bust that spotlights how narcotics from Manipur's porous 398-km Myanmar border are increasingly being rerouted through air travel as land-route enforcement tightens.
Key Takeaways
CISF seized 420 grams of suspected cannabis from a Delhi-bound passenger at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal on 24 June .
The contraband was detected during a random X-BIS baggage screening before boarding.
The passenger and seized material were handed over to Singjamei Police Station for investigation and legal action.
Manipur shares a 398-km unfenced border with Myanmar across five districts, making it a major drug trafficking corridor.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has fenced 50 km of the India-Myanmar border; work on an additional 80-km stretch is underway.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh raised border security concerns at the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting in New Delhi earlier this month.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel seized 420 grams of suspected cannabis (ganja) from a Delhi-bound passenger at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal on Wednesday, 24 June, officials confirmed. The interception was made during routine X-BIS baggage screening before boarding, underscoring the security force's heightened vigilance at one of the Northeast's busiest air gateways.
How the Seizure Unfolded
According to an official statement, CISF personnel flagged the passenger's baggage during a random X-BIS screening at the airport. A thorough physical examination of the luggage revealed a packet of suspected cannabis, weighing approximately 420 grams, concealed inside the bag.
The baggage was opened in the presence of CISF Civil Intelligence Wing (CIW) staff, Airport Police, and officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), following established protocol. The passenger and the seized contraband were subsequently handed over to Singjamei Police Station for further investigation and legal action.
'CISF remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring safe and secure civil aviation by maintaining robust screening procedures and constant vigilance against unlawful activities,' the official statement read.
Manipur's Drug Trafficking Challenge
Manipur and Mizoram have emerged as major drug trafficking corridors in Northeast India, largely owing to their long, largely unfenced international borders with Myanmar. Five Manipur districts — Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kamjong, and Ukhrul — share a 398-km-long unfenced border with Myanmar, posing persistent challenges for law enforcement.
Transnational drug syndicates have repeatedly exploited these porous frontiers to smuggle narcotics and other contraband into India, according to security officials. The airport interception reflects a broader pattern of narcotics being rerouted through air travel as land-border surveillance tightens.
Government's Border Security Push
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, addressing the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting in New Delhi earlier this month, highlighted the security and law-and-order challenges stemming from the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. He stressed the need for stronger border management, enhanced surveillance, and coordinated inter-agency action to combat drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking along the international border.
Singh informed the meeting that the Ministry of Home Affairs has completed fencing of 50 km of the India-Myanmar border to curb illegal smuggling. Construction on an additional 80-km stretch has already commenced, he added. The state government, he reiterated, would continue working closely with central agencies and security forces to strengthen anti-drug operations.
CISF's Role in the Northeast
The CISF is responsible for securing the majority of airports across the Northeastern region, including Bir Tikendrajit International Airport. The agency's deployment at these airports is considered a critical line of defence against the smuggling of narcotics originating from the Myanmar border into the Indian mainland. Wednesday's seizure is the latest in a series of drug interceptions at northeastern airports as enforcement agencies intensify screening protocols.
Point of View
Not a solution to it. Manipur's 398-km unfenced Myanmar border remains the primary entry point for narcotics, and with only 50 km fenced after years of effort, the gap between policy announcements and ground reality is wide. Drug syndicates adapting to tighter land-border checks by shifting to air couriers is a well-documented escalation pattern — and it means airport seizures will likely rise even as the underlying supply chain stays intact. The real test for the Centre and the state government is whether the additional 80-km fencing push is completed on schedule, and whether inter-agency coordination translates into dismantling trafficking networks rather than intercepting individual couriers.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized by CISF at Imphal Airport on 24 June?
CISF personnel seized approximately 420 grams of suspected cannabis (ganja) from a Delhi-bound passenger at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal on 24 June. The contraband was concealed inside the passenger's checked baggage and was detected during a random X-BIS screening.
What action was taken against the passenger?
The passenger, along with the seized contraband, was handed over to Singjamei Police Station for further investigation and legal action. The baggage was opened in the presence of CISF CIW staff, Airport Police, and Airports Authority of India officials before the handover.
Why is Manipur considered a drug trafficking corridor?
Manipur shares a 398-km largely unfenced international border with Myanmar across five districts — Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kamjong, and Ukhrul. Transnational drug syndicates have repeatedly exploited these porous frontiers to smuggle narcotics into India, making the state a key corridor for drug trafficking in Northeast India.
What steps is the government taking to curb drug smuggling along the India-Myanmar border?
The Ministry of Home Affairs has completed fencing of 50 km of the India-Myanmar border, with construction underway on an additional 80-km stretch. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh also raised the need for stronger border management and enhanced surveillance at the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting in New Delhi earlier this month.
What is the CISF's role at northeastern airports?
The CISF is responsible for securing the majority of airports across the Northeastern region, including Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal. It conducts passenger and baggage screening to prevent unlawful items, including narcotics, from being transported via civil aviation.
