New Delhi, October 26, 2026: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and state police forces have carried out a major multi-state crackdown on an alleged international drug-trafficking and hawala network operating across India’s Northeast, leading to 18 arrests and the freezing of 1,424 bank accounts.
The operation, named “Operation Trident,” targeted 38 locations across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur and uncovered suspected hawala transactions worth approximately ₹100 crore. Authorities also attached properties valued at ₹17.82 crore and seized cash and other material during the searches.
38 Teams Raid 38 Locations
Operation Trident was launched in the early hours of October 23, with 38 multi-agency teams conducting simultaneous searches at 38 locations.
The coordinated operation covered Assam, Mizoram and Manipur and was aimed at disrupting both the operational and financial structure of a suspected transnational narcotics syndicate.
NCB Leads Multi-Agency Crackdown
The Narcotics Control Bureau spearheaded the operation in coordination with the Enforcement Directorate and Mizoram Police.
Other central and state agencies also assisted with searches, financial investigations and identification of suspected trafficking routes.
18 People Arrested
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the operation resulted in the arrest of 18 people.
Authorities have not publicly released complete details of all those arrested, and their individual roles remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
₹100 Crore Hawala Trail Uncovered
One of the most significant findings was an alleged hawala network involving transactions worth around ₹100 crore.
Investigators believe informal financial channels were used to move proceeds linked to the narcotics trade without relying on conventional banking systems.
1,424 Bank Accounts Frozen
Authorities froze 1,424 bank accounts suspected of being linked to the trafficking network or its financial operations.
The large number of accounts suggests investigators are attempting to disrupt not only individual traffickers but the broader financial ecosystem allegedly supporting the syndicate.
Properties Worth ₹17.82 Crore Attached
The Enforcement Directorate also attached properties valued at approximately ₹17.82 crore.
These assets are suspected of being connected to proceeds from drug trafficking or related financial activity, according to the government’s statement.
₹12 Lakh Cash Seized
Search teams recovered approximately ₹12 lakh in cash during the operation.
Investigators will examine whether the money was connected to drug sales, hawala settlements or other suspected illegal transactions.
500 Detonators Also Recovered
Authorities also reported the seizure of 500 detonators.
The presence of detonators has added another dimension to the investigation, although officials have not yet publicly detailed their intended use or how they were allegedly connected to the drug network.
Network Allegedly Operated Across Three Countries
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the network trafficked narcotics across the borders of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The government referred to the route as the “Death Triangle Corridor,” describing it as an important pathway for cross-border narcotics movement.
Heroin and Methamphetamine Among Key Drugs
Investigations are linked to trafficking of narcotics including heroin, brown sugar and methamphetamine tablets originating from Myanmar.
Drugs are believed to have entered India through Mizoram and Manipur before being moved through Assam to other parts of India and Bangladesh.
Northeast Remains Major Trafficking Route
India’s northeastern states share a long and difficult-to-police border with Myanmar.
The region has increasingly been used as a land corridor for narcotics produced in and around Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle, making states such as Mizoram and Manipur key areas for anti-drug operations.
Financial Networks Become Major Focus
Operation Trident reflects a shift toward targeting the financial infrastructure behind drug trafficking.
Rather than focusing only on narcotics seizures, investigators are tracing bank accounts, hawala channels, properties and other assets believed to support trafficking operations.
Government Calls It Network-Centric Strategy
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the operation aligns with the government’s Vision Document on Narcotics Control 2026–2029.
The strategy emphasises moving from a seizure-centric approach toward dismantling complete trafficking networks and their financial support systems.
Amit Shah Praises Operation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the participating agencies and described the operation as a major blow to an international narcotics cartel.
He reiterated the government’s goal of dismantling major drug networks by December 31, 2029.
Suspected Myanmar-Based Leadership Under Scanner
Reports indicate that investigators have linked the network to a Myanmar-based alleged drug trafficker who had previously been arrested in Delhi.
Authorities are examining the wider command structure and whether additional operatives remain active across India and neighbouring countries.
Assam, Mizoram and Manipur at Centre of Probe
The three northeastern states targeted in the raids play different roles in the suspected trafficking chain.
Mizoram and Manipur are important entry points from Myanmar, while Assam serves as a major transit corridor connecting the Northeast with the rest of India.
Agencies Trace Drug Money Beyond Northeast
The freezing of more than 1,400 bank accounts indicates that investigators are tracing suspected proceeds beyond the physical locations where drugs were seized.
Financial records could help authorities identify distributors, intermediaries, money handlers and other individuals allegedly involved in the broader network.
More Arrests Could Follow
The investigation remains active, and further arrests or asset attachments could follow if additional financial or trafficking links are established.
Authorities are expected to continue analysing seized documents, bank records, digital devices and communication data.
Major Blow to Alleged Transnational Network
Operation Trident represents one of the largest recent coordinated anti-narcotics actions in Northeast India.
By combining drug enforcement with financial investigation, authorities are attempting to disrupt both the movement of narcotics and the money allegedly generated by the trade.
The final extent of the network and the criminal responsibility of those arrested will be determined through further investigation and court proceedings.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs, Press Information Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, The Indian Express
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