Drug trafficking patterns across eastern and northeastern India have revealed sharp contrasts among states, with Assam recording the highest number of NDPS cases and arrests over the last five years.
At the same time, Manipur has emerged as the most vulnerable state for heroin trafficking due to its location along international drug routes.
Assam records highest NDPS cases
According to a cross-border drug trafficking and seizure report compiled using Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) data, Assam registered 12,500 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between 2020 and 2024. The state also reported 20,398 arrests during the period. Odisha followed closely with 12,405 cases and 17,016 arrests, per a report by Hindustan Times.
The report examined drug trafficking trends across 12 eastern and northeastern states. It comes amid the Centre’s intensified anti-drug campaign, with Union Home minister Amit Shah recently reiterating the government’s commitment to eliminate the drug menace by 2047.
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Manipur identified as heroin hotspot
While Assam topped overall NDPS cases, Manipur recorded the highest heroin seizures among all 12 states. Authorities recovered 1,750.34 kg of heroin in the state over five years.
The report described Manipur as a “high-value trafficking risk profile” because of its proximity to Myanmar. Much of the narcotics flow is believed to originate from the “Golden Triangle”, the region covering Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, known for heroin and synthetic drug production.
West Bengal reported 605.8 kg of heroin seizures, followed by Assam with 573.96 kg and Bihar with 485.24 kg.
Odisha leads ganja recoveries
Per the HT report, Odisha emerged as the leading state in ganja seizures. Enforcement agencies recovered 850,792 kg of cannabis between 2020 and 2024. Tripura recorded the second-highest recoveries at 221,731 kg, while Assam followed with 179,462 kg.
The report noted that Odisha consistently showed rising cannabis recoveries every year, including more than 212,000 kg in 2023 alone.
Pharmaceutical drugs and opium under watch
Investigators also flagged growing pharmaceutical drug trafficking in West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, and Bihar. West Bengal recorded the highest seizure of codeine-based cough syrup bottles at 2.75 million, while Assam reported recovery of more than 17.2 million tablets.
The report further highlighted Bihar and Jharkhand for “notable opium and poppy indicators”. Jharkhand recorded over 4,206 kg of opium seizures and more than 326,000 kg of poppy husk recoveries, while Bihar reported 1,920 kg of opium seizures.
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Agencies asked to improve coordination
The report stressed stronger coordination among the NCB, state police, Customs, DRI, BSF, Assam Rifles, and transport interception units. It also recommended closer monitoring of precursor chemicals, pharmaceutical trafficking, and financial links connected to narcotics networks.
