Guwahati, Dec 8: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence(DRI) has admitted trafficking of methamphetamine, also known as “ice” or “crystal meth” has become a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies in India, particularly through the porous northeastern borders.
“Remote forest areas and rivers in the Indo-Myanmar borders provide the smugglers and trackers with covert routes to avoid detection Key sectors like Moreh and Churachandpur in Manipur and Zokhawthar in Mizoram are highly vulnerable. The smuggled drugs are further transported to other North Eastern States and other parts of the country by road and train using carriers. Personal vehicles and commercial cargo transport vehicles are the preferred mode of transportation” the DRI says in a report. The DRI is an apex intelligence and investigative agency under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes And customs (CBIC).
Methamphetamine is part of a group of drugs called amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). It is a synthetic drug that is usually manufactured in illegal laboratories. Methamphetamine comes as a powder, tablet or as crystals that look like shards of glass. It can be swallowed, sniffed/snorted, smoked or injected. Methamphetamine stimulates a feeling of physical and mental well-being, as well as a surge of euphoria and exhilaration. Users experience a temporary rise in energy, often perceived to improve their performance at manual or intellectual tasks and also also feel postponement of hunger and fatigue.
The DRI says methamphetamine seizures in 2024 have increased in the North Eastern States of Assam and Mizoram. “The town of Moreh, located at the India-Myanmar border in Manipur, has emerged as a crucial hub which plays a significant role in these operations” it says adding it has been actively combating this menace, conducting numerous operations predominantly in the northeastern region of India to intercept and seize substantial quantities of methamphetamine, thereby preventing its spread within the country.
The agency in 2024 had intercepted a suspected car in the Srikona area of Cachar District, Assam, recovering 7 brick-sized packets containing 64,000 methamphetamine tablets (6.40 kg), leading to the arrest of two persons. In Imphal, it intercepted a truck on National Highway 37 and seized 10.285 kg of methamphetamine tablets. Another significant seizure was done at Zarkawt Sumo Stand, Aizawl, where 2 kg of methamphetamine tablets were found in a passenger’s luggage, leading to the arrest of three people. There were other seizures too.
The DRI says the area “The Death Triangle” encompassing Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, is a significant source of synthetic drugs and heroin. “Drugs from this region often enter India through the northeastern states, where difficult terrain and porous borders make trafficking easier at multiple entry points,” it says.
The agency also pointed to the sharp uptick in the number of cases of seizure of contraband cigarettes recently, including in regions close to the porous Indo-Myanmar border. Major seizures took place in the cities of Chennai, Shillong, Guwahati, Mumbai, Cochin and Aizawl.
