UKHRUL: A joint operation led by the Narcotics Control Bureau’s Guwahati unit has exposed a fresh river route being used by a Myanmar–Manipur–Assam drug network. Two people from Lakhipur in Cachar district — Jacob Hmar and Melodi Hmar — were arrested after nearly 6 kg of heroin was recovered from a motorboat on the Barak river.
The heroin, packed in 530 soap cases, was hidden under bamboo loads on the boat. Security agencies say traffickers appear to be shifting to riverine routes to avoid highway checkpoints.
According to the initial probe, the consignment came from Myanmar, crossed into Manipur through forest tracks, and then moved into the Hmarkhawlien–Fulertal–Lakhipur belt before being intercepted.
Journalist Karishma Hasnat, reporting on December 2, noted that the latest raid adds to a growing list of major seizures this year. Under NCB’s Northeast regional office, agencies have recovered more than 530 kg of methamphetamine and 31 kg of heroin in 2025 — drugs worth close to Rs. 487 crore internationally. In Assam alone, seizures this year amount to roughly Rs. 105 crore.
Police in Silchar are continuing the investigation to track the network’s local links.
