Amit Shah Praises NCB for Rs 88 Cr Yaba Raid, Four Held with “No Mercy” Warning

Agartala/Ukhrul: A massive haul of methamphetamine tablets worth Rs. 88 crore and the arrest of four members of an international drug cartel in Imphal and Guwahati zones drew applause from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who said, “Accelerating the Modi govt’s march to build a drug-free Bharat,” crediting the NCB’s investigative precision. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) struck a significant blow against drug trafficking on March 13 with two coordinated operations, emphasizing the government’s unwavering commitment to rooting out the drug menace.

The first operation took place in Imphal, where NCB officers intercepted a truck near Lilong. A meticulous search uncovered 102.39 kg of methamphetamine tablets stashed in a toolbox within the vehicle’s rear cabin. The two occupants were detained immediately, but the team didn’t stop there. In a swift follow-up, they tracked down and apprehended a suspected receiver in the same area, seizing a four-wheeler linked to the trafficking operation. All three were later arrested. Initial findings point to Moreh as the source of the consignment, with investigations continuing to identify other players in the network.

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Meanwhile, in a parallel effort near the Assam-Mizoram border, NCB’s Guwahati Zone halted an SUV close to Silchar. A thorough inspection revealed 7.48 kg of methamphetamine tablets cleverly concealed inside the spare tyre. The driver was arrested, and early probes suggest the drugs, also sourced from Moreh in Manipur, were bound for Karimganj. Efforts are underway to capture additional suspects tied to this operation.

In a related move, the NCB has taken over a case from the Mizoram State Excise Department involving the seizure of 46 kg of crystal methamphetamine on March 6 in Brigade Bawngkawn in Aizawl. Four individuals connected to this syndicate are in custody, and the agency is now digging deeper to unravel the interstate and international threads of this trafficking web.

An official statement said that the North Eastern Region’s proximity to drug trafficking corridors has made it a hotspot for such activities, a vulnerability the Ministry of Home Affairs addressed by strengthening the NCB’s presence in 2023. With five Zonal Units and a Regional Headquarters in the Northeast, the agency has ramped up its fight against synthetic drugs like methamphetamine tablets, commonly known as YABA, which threaten both the region’s youth and national security.

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Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah praised the NCB’s efforts in an X post, stating, “No mercy for drug cartels. Accelerating the Modi government’s march to build a drug-free Bharat, a massive consignment of methamphetamine tablets worth Rs. 88 crore is seized, and 4 members of the international drug cartel are arrested in Imphal and Guwahati zones. The drug haul is a testament to the stellar performance of the bottom-to-top and top-to-bottom approach to investigation. Our hunt for drugs continues. Heartfelt congratulations to team NCB.”

No mercy for drug cartels.

Accelerating the Modi govt's march to build a drug-free Bharat, a massive consignment of methamphetamine tablets worth ₹88 crore is seized, and 4 members of the international drug cartel are arrested in Imphal and Guwahati zones. The drug haul is a…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 16, 2025

(With Inputs from PIB)