The Narcotics Control Bureau has achieved great success against drug smuggling from Myanmar to India. NCB Imphal zonal unit has seized 7.312 kg of high-grade heroin near the Indo-Myanmar border. Its value in the international illegal market is estimated to be around Rs 15 crore. Two international smugglers have been arrested in this action. This has exposed a big drug network running from Myanmar to Manipur. Besides, a surprising pattern of smuggling has also come to light.
According to NCB, after increasing strictness on traditional smuggling routes for some time, drug mafias are changing their routes. Now smugglers are using dense forests and river routes instead of cities and highways. So that police checkposts, security camps and urban surveillance can be avoided. This new method is continuously emerging in the entire North East region.
In this series, last month NCB Guwahati Zonal Unit had seized about 7 kg of heroin from Jiribam area of Manipur. This confirmed the changing pattern of smuggling. After this, NCB further strengthened the surveillance and intelligence network in the border areas. On January 7, based on strong intelligence, NCB Imphal stopped a Bolero vehicle near the Indo-Myanmar border.
During the search, 7.312 kg of heroin, cleverly hidden in 638 soap boxes, was recovered. This consignment was brought from Hatchin city of Myanmar and was to be supplied further through the forests of Manipur. The accused arrested in this operation have been identified as Ginkhamlian and Mangboi Simte. Both the accused are residents of Mata-Multam area of Churachandpur district of Manipur.
Initial investigation has revealed that these people were part of a network of bringing drugs from across the border and supplying them inside India. The quality of the seized heroin is very high and it was to be used in the international drug market. Who are the people behind this network, how is the supply chain working in Myanmar and in which states within India was it to be supplied? Intensive investigation is going on on all these aspects.
