Morung Express News
Dimapur/Kohima | February 5
The Nagaland Police seized drugs and other narcotic substances worth over Rs118 crore in 2024. This is a huge seizure for a small state like Nagaland, Inspector General of Police (CID) Vikram M Khalate said at a press conference at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex Chümoukedima today. Giving details of these seizures, he underscored that the Nagaland Police are taking many steps to contain the menace of narcotic drugs and related crime in the state.
An official statement from the Nagaland Police Headquarters (PHQ) reflected the magnitude of the seizure. Accordingly, the market value of total seizures of drugs and narcotics in 2024 stood at Rs118,83,17,840.
In terms of quantity, the single item with the highest seizure was opium at 1010 kg 919 gm, with a market value estimated at Rs47,51,31,930. In terms of market value, however, the highest was heroin (15 kg 211 gm 318 mg), with an estimated cost of Rs53,23,85,000 (Rs53.23+ cr). Other contraband items included over 545 kg of ganja, 1.99 kg of brown sugar, and 694 gm of crystal meth. (see table)
The police also seized a total of 191,956 synthetic drug tablets. Over 1.57 lakh Yaba tablets were also seized in 2024. According to the United Nations, Yaba, a tablet form of methamphetamine and a powerful stimulant used in combination with caffeine, was introduced to East Asia during World War II to enhance soldiers' performance. It is called 'crazy medicine' in Thai for triggering wide-ranging effects on its users.
Meanwhile, the police have registered 199 cases for narcotics and drug trafficking in 2024, and a total of 343 people were arrested.
The Nagaland Police have also proposed and placed 60 traffickers/suppliers of narcotic substances under The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PITNDPS) 1988 during the last three years. The highest number was in 2024, with 47 individuals (28 males and 19 females).
In continuation of the Nagaland Government’s “War against Drugs,” the Nagaland Police have also launched intensive checks of vehicles (MVCP), raids, and checks of hotels, restaurants, etc.
This is part of the state-wide efforts to combat the menace of widespread availability and usage of synthetic drugs and psychotropic substances and to prevent and deter their entry into the state, as well as to prevent such illegal activity, the police said.
Transit route
IGP Khalate, meanwhile, reiterated the State Police’s deep commitment and dedication to controlling the problem. "There is inter-state coordination and cooperation, and multiple systems are in place, helping the police team to analyze and operate in real time whenever information is received," he said. The IGP also highlighted that Nagaland is used as a transit route, and therefore the police are attempting to link forward and backward linkages – analyzing where the drugs are heading and from where they are originating.
"To a great extent, the drugs seized in Nagaland originate from Manipur, and the main suppliers are based in Manipur. They are meant for Assam or different states, and links were also found in Karnataka and Punjab," he added. Khalate explained that the drugs transit through Manipur to Nagaland, where a portion is sold locally before the rest is transported elsewhere.
Highlighting the challenges, the IGP noted that drugs flow from Myanmar, transiting through Manipur to Nagaland, which serves as a distribution point for destinations beyond the state. Peddlers use sophisticated concealment methods, making detection difficult, he said, stressing the collective responsibility to collaborate and share information. "Even if you see someone consuming drugs, inform us; it's the first step in tracking the supply chain," he urged, assuring that confidentiality is standard policy. “We are getting information from credible sources with public cooperation,” he added.
Meanwhile, at the press conference, the Nagaland Police informed that drugs worth over Rs8.31 crore were seized during the last two weeks of January 2025. The seizure totaled 2.375 kg of heroin. In this connection, 18 people (14 males and 4 females) were arrested. A total of 7 cases – 3 in Dimapur and 4 in Kohima – were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Also addressing the press conference and elaborating on initiatives in its jurisdiction, Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, Kevithuto Sophie, shared that the seizures were not by chance encounters but the result of intelligence and sources, as the police have been pursuing the ‘War Against Drugs’ during the last two years.
“We have developed our sources and always appeal to the public to report any suspicious activity, and we assure that we will never reveal your identity,” he urged.
CP Sophie also stressed that Nagaland is becoming a transit point and not the destination, and claimed that during the last six months, it has been observed that traffickers do not dare to bring the drugs inside Nagaland. So, people who consume the drugs are going to the bordering areas to procure them, he claimed.
"Due to the efforts of the agencies and not just the police, we are trying our best to do away with this menace," he added. However, he noted that as most seizures are made in private vehicles and hidden in compartments, detection is very difficult. "But due to the efforts of our team, we could make achievements," he added.
