aizawl13 minutes agoAuthor: Manoj Kumar Laskar
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4000 kg drugs have been seized from Champhai, Mizoram in 3 years.
It is around 11:30 at night. The mercury is falling in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl and the roads are almost deserted. But, in this silence, some youths dressed in simple clothes were seen carrying torches and wooden sticks in their hands. On enquiry, it was found that these are not the police, but the volunteers of ‘Young Mizo Association’ (YMA), who are on guard to save the next generation from Myanmar’s synthetic drug ‘Ice’ which is being mixed in the veins of the state.
Mizoram is currently facing the worst drug crisis in its history. Dangerous synthetic drugs coming through Myanmar’s 500 km long open border have torn the social fabric of the state apart. Last year, these drugs took 118 lives and this year so far, 21 lives have been taken. Champhai district adjacent to the Myanmar border is its main corridor. In the last 3 years, about 4 thousand kg of drugs were seized from here. Bhaskar traveled about 200 km and got to know this network closely.
Drugs are available just by showing screen shot of chat group
The surprising thing is that the entire business is being done digitally. Drugs suppliers are running networks by creating secret groups on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook. Drugs can be easily obtained just by showing the screen shot of the chat group.
When Bhaskar asked for some screen shots from the YMA members, he refused to give them due to security reasons. Peter Johmingthanga, Joint Commissioner of Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Department, said that drugs are being sold in the local network under code words like ‘ice’ and ‘candy’.
Champhai in Mizoram is a city situated near the India-Myanmar border, which is the main gateway for drug smuggling into India.
In one and a half month, 239 patients appeared in Aizawl alone.
Home delivery of drugs is also being done in the last months. Aizawl-based social worker Elin Lalawanipui took us to patients who were victims of synthetic drugs. He told that between April 10 and May 28 this year, I have registered 239 patients in Aizawl alone. Finding so many patients in such a short time shows the magnitude of the situation. Most of these people used to drink alcohol and marijuana earlier, but are now taking dangerous drugs.
Right now I am in Champhai district situated on the border. General Secretary of YMA Central Committee Prof. Malsomaliana is also together. Malsomaliana also showed us the border areas from where drugs from Myanmar enter Mizoram. He told that across the border there is the Rikhawadar area of Myanmar, where people from both sides have family relations.
Under the guise of this movement, small carriers (peddlers) bring consignments of drugs to India through dense forests and mountain trails in the dark of night. From here the drugs are going to other parts of the country as well as to Bangladesh and Arab countries.
Tlawmngaihna organization is famous throughout the country for social service and discipline.
Nearly 5 lakh volunteers are running ‘Operation Jericho’
The biggest thing is that the people of Mizoram themselves are fighting a war against these synthetic drugs. Pro. Malsomliana said that when the government machinery seemed helpless, the age-old tradition of Mizo society “Tlawmngaihna” (spirit of selfless service) was awakened. Church, local community and YMA, an organization of 5 lakh volunteers, took charge themselves.
We launched ‘Operation Jericho’ in September 2025 in collaboration with the police and the Narcotics Department. Our volunteers are deployed in 13 sensitive villages of Champhai. As soon as our intelligence network gives input, we conduct raids along with the police. Our job is to save the victims and take them to rehab (de-addiction center).
Now Myanmar smugglers are using Manipur route
YMA Central President R. Lalangheta said that when Operation Jericho started showing effect, smugglers closed the traditional routes to bring drugs. Now drug smugglers are using the Manipur route. First they enter Manipur from Myanmar and from there the drugs are being transported to Mizoram and other states.
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