Mizoram Police have registered 538 drug-related cases and arrested 795 alleged drug peddlers and smugglers — including women and Myanmar nationals — over the past 18 months, officials said on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. The figures underscore an intensified narcotics crackdown across a state that sits on one of the world's most active drug-trafficking corridors.

Case-by-Case Breakdown

According to officials, 319 drug-related cases were registered in 2025, resulting in the arrest of 483 accused. In the current year, from January to June 2026, a further 219 cases were registered with 312 persons taken into custody — indicating the enforcement pace has not slackened.

A senior police official attributed the rising case count not to a surge in trafficking volumes alone, but to a shift in method: traffickers have moved away from large consignments toward smaller, more frequent shipments. Enhanced enforcement capabilities and improved detection equipment have allowed police to intercept these dispersed loads more effectively.

High-Level Review by the Core Committee

The Mizoram State Core Committee on Fight Against Drugs, chaired by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, convened on Tuesday to review the state's anti-narcotics drive. Home Minister K. Sapdanga and Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar were among those present.

Chief Minister Lalduhoma acknowledged that the drug menace cannot be eliminated overnight but said sustained efforts were yielding 'encouraging results' with 'significant progress becoming evident.' He expressed appreciation to all departments and voluntary organisations involved in the fight.

Operation Jericho and Street-Level Impact

The Excise and Narcotics Department reported that Operation Jericho has contributed to a considerable decline in the availability of illicit drugs, driving up street prices sharply. A similar trend has been observed in the availability of cough syrup and other commonly abused pharmaceutical drugs.

The Young Mizo Association (YMA) — Mizoram's largest non-governmental organisation — presented a report on anti-drug initiatives carried out through its Anti-Drugs Squad and Operation Jericho. The Central YMA is currently expanding rehabilitation facilities for persons with substance use disorders at the TBCC, with government assistance.

Rehabilitation and Social Welfare Outcomes

The Social Welfare Department reported that approximately 30 per cent of beneficiaries admitted to the Hulhhliap Short Stay Centre have successfully overcome drug addiction, based on follow-up assessments. A total of 198 beneficiaries have received training across 13 skill development courses, while 21 beneficiaries have been assisted under the 'Bana Kaih' (Hand Holding) Chief Minister's Special Package. The government spends an estimated ₹15,422 per beneficiary for rehabilitation services at the centre.

Persistent Challenges and the Road Ahead

The Committee noted with concern that while heroin availability has declined and its price has risen, the use of cannabis has become more widespread and cough syrup abuse continues to climb. It emphasised the need for structured awareness campaigns targeting children and youth through the School Education Department and church organisations.

The meeting resolved to establish a committee to draft state-specific legislation or amend existing laws to strengthen Mizoram's legal framework for drug control. It also agreed to simplify the reimbursement process for court witness expenses and discussed establishing active anti-drug committees in every locality and village across the state.

Officials noted that Mizoram's vulnerability stems from its geography: the state shares a 510-km unfenced international border with Myanmar — part of the notorious 'Golden Triangle', one of the world's largest illicit narcotics-producing regions — and a 318-km border with Bangladesh, making it a significant cross-border smuggling corridor for narcotics, wildlife products, and other contraband. How the state converts enforcement momentum into durable structural change will be closely watched in the months ahead.