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Operation Trident targets cross-border drug cartel across Northeast India (Img: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) launched a major crackdown on transnational drug trafficking networks on Friday. It conducted simultaneous raids at 38 locations across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur under "Operation Trident".
The multi-agency operation targeted the operational and financial networks of an international drug cartel allegedly trafficking narcotics along the India-Myanmar-Bangladesh corridor. The crackdown exposed suspected hawala transactions worth nearly Rs 100 crore, led to the freezing of 1,424 bank accounts and the attachment of properties worth Rs 17.82 crore. Agencies also seized 500 detonators and Rs 12 lakh in cash, while 18 people were arrested.
The operation, aligned with the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029), reflects the government's stated commitment to dismantling drug networks through intelligence-led investigations, coordination between agencies and disruption of illicit finances.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah welcomed the operation, congratulating the anti-narcotics teams and police forces in the three states for their coordinated action.
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In a post on X, Shah said the Modi government's campaign against drugs continued with simultaneous raids at 38 locations across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on October 23, targeting an international drug cartel.
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
He highlighted the key outcomes, including the discovery of suspected hawala transactions worth Rs 100 crore, the freezing of 1,424 bank accounts, the attachment of properties worth Rs 17.82 crore, the seizure of 500 detonators and Rs 12 lakh in cash, and the arrest of 18 people.
Shah also praised the central agencies and police forces of the three states for their role in carrying out the operation.
Spearheaded by the NCB in coordination with Mizoram Police, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other enforcement agencies, Operation Trident was launched in the early hours of October 23 after extensive intelligence gathering, joint target mapping and operational planning.
Under a unified command structure, 38 multi-agency teams carried out searches and investigations simultaneously at 38 identified locations across the three northeastern states.
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The operation covered key locations and border corridors, including Aizawl, Champhai and Zokhawthar in Mizoram, linked operational bases in Churachandpur in Manipur, and the Cachar transit corridor in Assam.
Investigators focused on dismantling both the cartel's logistical infrastructure and its financial channels, examining suspected facilitators, shell entities, money mules and illicit transactions.
The raids followed sustained intelligence-led investigations by the NCB, Mizoram Police and the ED, which uncovered the alleged syndicate's extensive reach. Financial profiling and digital forensics conducted during earlier stages helped investigators identify a wider network of operatives and financial intermediaries, paving the way for the coordinated searches.
Investigators identified Myanmar-based alleged kingpin Thangcintuang, also known as Chintuang or Tluanga, as a key figure in the syndicate. He was wanted in more than 10 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act involving the NCB, Champhai Police and Mizoram Excise authorities.
Following inter-state surveillance and sustained follow-up operations, he was arrested in Delhi.
The cartel allegedly coordinated the movement of methamphetamine and heroin originating in Myanmar through Mizoram, Manipur, Assam and Tripura, with the drugs subsequently trafficked into mainland India and Bangladesh.
Earlier investigations had also led to the arrest of several alleged associates and facilitators linked to the network.
Vungkhanthawna, described as a key facilitator responsible for coordinating the movement and delivery of drug consignments originating in Myanmar, was arrested and subsequently detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act.
Lalrampari, identified as a primary hawala operator, was arrested by the NCB on August 8, 2024. Investigators subsequently traced nearly Rs 100 crore in suspected illicit hawala transactions. The findings prompted coordinated action with the ED and the freezing of assets linked to the alleged illegal activities.
Another alleged operative, Abu Saleh, also known as Saifuddin, was arrested in Cachar on November 20, 2025. Described as the logistics head for the Assam corridor, he was allegedly involved in coordinating narcotics transportation through the state and was linked to multiple NDPS cases.
These arrests, along with financial investigations and digital forensics, helped investigators map the cartel's wider network and prepare for Operation Trident.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia also welcomed Operation Trident, describing it as a strong message that the Northeast would not be allowed to become a corridor for contraband.
In a post on X, Scindia said the operation reflected the government's resolve under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Home Minister Amit Shah leading the nationwide campaign against drugs.
Operation Trident shows that our Northeast will never be a corridor for contraband. With PM Shri @narendramodi ji at the helm and HM Shri @AmitShah ji as the driving force, the fight against drugs has become a mission of national resolve.
Seamless synergy between the Centre and the states is now breaking the narco-trade at its routes and its money trails alike as we strengthen our fight to build a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
My gratitude and congratulations to all the officers and personnel of our central agencies and the police forces of Assam, Mizoram and Manipur.
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) October 25, 2026
He said the coordinated action was strengthening India's efforts to build a "Nasha Mukt Bharat" (drug-free India) and thanked officers and personnel from the central agencies and the police forces of Assam, Mizoram and Manipur for their role in the operation.
