AIZWAL, Jan 12 : Mizoram Police seized drugs and contraband including significant quantities of heroin, crystal meth, and methamphetamine worth over Rs. 211.64 crore in 2024 during a crackdown.
This crackdown also led to the arrest of 468 individuals for trafficking, possessing, and peddling drugs, according to the Superintendent of Police (CID-Crime).
Among the total seizures, police confiscated 80.856 kilograms of heroin, valued at over Rs. 24.25 crore. This resulted in 282 cases being registered under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, of 1985, with 388 arrests linked to heroin-related offences.
Additionally, 35.155 kilograms of crystal meth, worth an estimated Rs. 105.46 crore, were seized, leading to four cases and three arrests. Methamphetamine tablets made up another significant portion of the haul, with 627.741 kilograms, worth over Rs. 81.61 crore, seized. These operations culminated in 30 cases and 51 arrests under the stringent ND&PS Act.
Other contraband seized by the police included 1,075 kilograms of caffeine worth Rs. 15.60 lakh, 305.387 kilograms of cannabis worth Rs. 15.26 lakh, and pharmaceutical drugs, including codeine and alprazolam, worth over Rs. 1.08 lakh. In total, Mizoram Police registered 339 ND&PS cases and arrested 468 individuals in connection with these seizures.
The state’s Excise & Narcotics Department also made significant contributions, confiscating 46.566 kilograms of heroin and 138.817 kilograms of methamphetamine tablets. Combined, the two state law enforcement agencies seized 127.455 kilograms of heroin and 766.558 kilograms of methamphetamine tablets, marking the highest annual drug seizure in Mizoram’s history.
The Excise & Narcotics Department recorded 71 drug-related deaths in 2024, comprising 60 men and 11 women. Since 1984, when the state documented its first heroin-related death, the total number of drug-related fatalities has risen to 1,881, including 230 women.
Data reveals that spasmo proxyvon and parvon spa, painkillers widely abused by Mizo youths, accounted for 1,161 deaths-over 60 percent of the total fatalities. A further 446 deaths were attributed to poly-drug abuse, while heroin claimed 272 lives.
Since 2017, there have been no deaths linked to spasmo proxyvon and parvon spa, likely due to the discontinuation of their production by Indian pharmaceutical companies. However, poly-drug abuse has emerged as the leading cause of fatalities, with heroin ranking as the second deadliest drug.
Law enforcement agencies continue to combat drug abuse and trafficking, which remain significant challenges in Mizoram. The coordinated efforts of the police and excise department reflect the state’s commitment to addressing this pressing issue.
(UNI)
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