Guwahati, July 22 — The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled a major India‑Myanmar transnational drug trafficking syndicate with the arrest of a Myanmar‑based kingpin, marking the third such high‑profile arrest by the agency this year as part of its crackdown on cross‑border narcotics networks operating along the international border, officials said on Wednesday.
According to an official statement, the arrested accused, Nengzatuan alias Tuanpi, a resident of Haichin in Myanmar’s Chin State, was apprehended from Churachandpur district in Manipur following months of intelligence gathering, technical surveillance, coordinated interstate operations and sustained investigations.
The agency said the operation reflects its strategy of targeting the leadership of organised transnational drug trafficking syndicates rather than merely intercepting individual consignments.
The investigation revealed that Nengzatuan was among the principal international suppliers operating from Chin State and controlled a trafficking network that smuggled methamphetamine and heroin through Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura before distributing the narcotics across different parts of India and Bangladesh.
The NCB said the accused is wanted in multiple cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by the agency and other drug law enforcement authorities. He is the principal accused in three NCB cases involving the seizure of around 28.22 kg of methamphetamine tablets and 1.278 kg of heroin, collectively valued at more than Rs 25 crore.
He is also linked to seven other NDPS cases registered by the Churachandpur and Singngat police stations and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
According to the agency, the syndicate operated through a structured network comprising international suppliers, cross‑border couriers, transport coordinators, local facilitators, receivers and financial handlers.
So far, the network has been linked to seizures of methamphetamine, heroin and proceeds of crime worth over Rs 53 crore, while financial investigations are continuing to identify additional assets and other members of the syndicate.
The NCB said several intelligence‑led operations carried out in recent months resulted in the arrest of key operatives, including Abdullah Ahmed of Assam’s Silchar, who allegedly coordinated consignments entering the state, along with Lalthlamuong Pulamte, Nengultinkhum Hrangngul and Paominlen Munlo from Manipur.
Their interrogation, backed by technical surveillance, digital evidence and financial investigation, ultimately led investigators to identify and apprehend Nengzatuan as the principal Myanmar‑based supplier directing the syndicate from across the international border.
The latest arrest follows those of Lalhmingsanga in March and Thancintuang alias Chintuang alias Tluanga in May this year, underscoring the NCB’s continued offensive against organised cross‑border drug trafficking networks.