In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, enforcement agencies have conducted simultaneous raids at 38 locations across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur, leading to the arrest of 18 accused persons and the detection of ₹100 crore in ‘hawala’ transactions in connection with an international “narco-hawala” racket.
“Modi Govt. deals another lethal blow against drugs with Operation Trident. Our agencies launched a barrage of simultaneous crackdowns across 38 locations in Assam, Mizoram, and Manipur on October 23, smashing an international narco-cartel,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on social media platform X on Sunday (October 25, 2026), congratulating the anti-narcotics team comprising the Central agencies and police forces of the three States.
Modi Govt deals another lethal blow against drugs with Operation Trident.
Our agencies launched a barrage of simultaneous crackdowns across 38 locations in Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on 23 October, smashing an international narco-cartel. The operation revealed ₹100 crore worth of hawala transactions, froze 1,424 bank accounts, attached properties worth ₹17.82 crore, seized 500 detonators and ₹12 lakh in cash, and led to the arrest of 18 people.
The network trafficked narcotics across the borders of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through the Death Triangle Corridor. The offensive attests to India’s Himalayan resolve to realise the mission of eradicating every drug network by 31 December 2029. India will hammer until the last nail is driven into the coffin of drug cartels.
Heartiest congratulations to the anti-narcotics team comprising central agencies, and police forces of the three states.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 25, 2026
The operation revealed ₹100 crore worth of ‘hawala’ transactions and led to the freezing of 1,424 bank accounts, the attachment of assets worth ₹17.82 crore, the seizure of 500 detonators and ₹12 lakh in cash, and the arrest of 18 people.
“The network trafficked narcotics across the borders of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through the Death Triangle Corridor. The offensive attests to India’s Himalayan resolve to realise the mission of eradicating every drug network by December 31, 2029. India will hammer until the last nail is driven into the coffin of drug cartels,” Mr. Shah said.
In a press release, the Enforcement Directorate said coordinated searches were carried out in Aizawl, Champhai, and Lawngtlai of Mizoram and Churachandpur in Manipur in connection with three cases alleging trafficking of heroin, brown sugar and methamphetamine tablets from Myanmar, and ‘hawala’ settlements of drug proceeds. The operation was conducted in coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Mizoram Police.
During the action, the ED froze 1,424 bank accounts and provisionally attached properties worth ₹17.82 crore belonging to narco-hawala operators based in Mizoram. The agency had earlier secured assets worth ₹8.19 crore in the form of frozen bank accounts.
Six accused persons were arrested on money-laundering charges. They have been identified Kashyap G. Thakkar, Thangkhuala, T. Chatuan Vanlalgakha, Zenngaihniang, Nengzatuan Valte, and H. Gouzalal.
The ED’s investigation has revealed that the same set of bank accounts in Champhai, Aizawl and Lawngtlai received drug money generated in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura, and settled it with suppliers in Myanmar.
“Heroin and methamphetamine tablets entering Mizoram and Manipur are consumed locally and moved onward through Assam to the rest of India and Bangladesh, and the drug money generated across this chain flows back to the border towns of Mizoram for settlement with Myanmar-based suppliers. The trafficking corridor works as a two-way street through the Champhai-Zokhawthar sector of Mizoram,” the ED said, explaining the modus operandi.
In one direction, precursor and cutting chemicals move from India to Myanmar, from where heroin, brown sugar, and meth tablets produced there are carried across the Tiau river at Zokhawthar, opposite Khawmawi, and kept at Champhai before being transported via the Champhai-Aizawl road and NH06A to Aizawl, Vairengte, and the Assam and Tripura borders.
Myanmar-based organisers hired local carriers and moved consignments concealed in soap cases, taxis, motorcycles, and escorted truck convoys. Payments were routed through the same Champhai ‘hawala’ accounts receiving drug proceeds from across the Northeast. Drugs are sold for cash across Manipur, Assam, Tripura and other parts of India, with the proceeds routed to suppliers in Myanmar through ‘hawala’ channels.
In Manipur’s Churachandpur, syndicate operatives collected cash for handlers, who channelled the funds into the banking system through mini-ATM/customer service point counters. The ED identified a counter which, under the code name ‘Nuniang’, made 2,947 transfers involving ₹175.03 crore between 2024 and June 2026 to traders, pharmacies, and individuals in Zokhawthar, Champhai, Lawngtlai and Aizawl.
Beneficiary pharmacies, general stores and individuals in Mizoram had rented out their accounts for ₹500 per lakh for the transfer of funds via banking networks, the agency said. One Champhai homemaker’s account, operated by her bank-employee husband, alone had received ₹15.48 crore against a family income of about ₹27,000 per month.
As alleged, the funds ultimately reached unlicensed Rupee-Kyat exchangers in Champhai. Their accounts recorded credits of about ₹268.80 crore, including ₹125 crore in cash from Assam, Nagaland, West Bengal, Tripura and Delhi. The funds received from Mumbai are also under the scanner.
At the instance of Myanmar-based persons, the exchangers transferred funds to accounts across India and settled suppliers’ dues in Kyat across the border, charging ₹250-500 per lakh in commission. The proceeds were invested in real estate and businesses, the ED said.
