CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE

IMPHAL: The scale of seizures of narcotics recorded in Manipur during the first four months of 2026 has highlighted the growing challenge posed by cross-border drug trafficking networks and their wider implications to law and order, public health and security in the state.

The large quantities of opium, heroin, methamphetamine and pharmaceutical drugs recovered by multiple agencies indicate that Manipur continues to remain a major transit and storage corridor for narcotics trafficking in the region.

Police, central security forces and agencies including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) carried out a series of anti-drug operations across the state between January and April 2026, resulting in major seizures of narcotics, psychotropic substances, arms and cash allegedly linked to trafficking networks.

Official figures compiled from official updates by Manipur Police on its X handle showed that authorities seized 216.019 kg of raw opium during the four-month period.

Major recoveries included 57.7 kg of opium from a passenger travelling through Sangaikot, 36.054 kg stored in plastic containers, and 51 kg recovered from a Tata truck in Jiribam. Security forces also intercepted two vehicles in Churachandpur district on April 10 carrying 36 sacks containing around 1,800 kg of poppy seeds, indicating the continued presence of illegal cultivation and supply chains linked to narcotics production.

Heroin-related seizures also remained high during the period. Authorities confiscated 53.2092 kg of heroin derivatives, including brown sugar and heroin, along with 806 soap cases, which roughly accounts for around 10 kg. Among the major seizures were 15.556 kg of brown sugar recovered from a truck driver at North AOC and 5.7 kg seized near Thoubal district police headquarters.

Drug trafficking through air routes also came under focus. Authorities intercepted 6.74 kg of brown sugar concealed in luggage at Imphal Airport and separately seized 4.8 kg of heroin from two persons from Madhya Pradesh before boarding a flight.

In another major operation conducted in Singhat during April, security forces arrested three individuals with 474 soap cases of heroin weighing around 5.43 kg.

The crackdown also targeted synthetic drugs, reflecting a trafficking pattern of high-value narcotics. Security agencies seized 41.494 kg of WY tablets, including 8.3 kg recovered in Tengnoupal district and another 12 kg seized in late April.

One of the largest synthetic drug recoveries took place in Moreh in March, where security personnel raided a house and seized 13.4 kg of crystal methamphetamine. Cannabis trafficking also figured in the operations, with a total of 22.9 kg of ganja seized.

The recoveries included 16.6 kg from a vehicle in Imphal East, 5.2 kg from a two-wheeler rider in Jiribam and 1.1 kg recovered at a police checkpoint in Imphal West. Security agencies also reported growing concern over pharmaceutical drug abuse and illegal distribution networks.

During the period, authorities seized 1,407 bottles of cough syrups containing controlled substances, including codeine-based formulations. A separate operation in Imphal West led to the recovery of 56,216 SP capsules from an individual.

Authorities also recovered 84.57 grams of Methadone from a residence in Thoubal district and seized Nitrazepam tablets during another raid.

Several operations also revealed links between narcotics trafficking and armed groups.

During investigations in Churachandpur district connected to the Tronglaobi bomb attack, security forces arrested three suspected cadres of United Kuki National Army (UKNA).

Authorities recovered 21.19 kg of raw opium, one AK-47 rifle with 25 rounds of ammunition and one pistol with 15 rounds from them.

Subsequent operations at Molphei Tampak led to the recovery of an MP-9 automatic rifle, a locally made Pumpi weapon, two Lathode tubes, a pistol and 70 mm cartridges.

Other operations resulted in the seizure of carbines, single-barrel guns and pistols along with narcotics and poppy seeds. Authorities also recovered Rs 4,33,300 in cash allegedly linked to narcotics trafficking.

This included Rs 2,00,200 seized from three alleged WY tablet smugglers at a hotel in Moreh and another Rs 2,00,000 recovered during the crystal methamphetamine seizure.

The cumulative figures from the first four months of 2026 point to the existence of organised trafficking networks operating across highways, border towns and transit points in Manipur.

The repeated recovery of narcotics alongside weapons has also raised concerns over the nexus between drug trafficking and armed activity in the region.

Arrests have included not only local residents but also inter-state operatives from Assam, Tripura, Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh revealing that the state serves as a critical node for transnational drug syndicates.