Guwahati: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) reported dismantling a major India-Myanmar transnational drug trafficking syndicate with the arrest of a Myanmar national.The accused, Nengzatuan alias Tuanpi, a resident of Haichin in Myanmar’s Chin State, was arrested from Churachandpur in Manipur with the assistance of the state police after months of intelligence gathering, technical surveillance and coordinated interstate operations.The NCB alleged that the arrested kingpin controlled an extensive network smuggling methamphetamine and heroin into India through the northeast.NCB said the arrest marked the third Myanmar-based drug kingpin apprehended by the agency in 2026, underscoring its strategy of targeting the leadership of cross-border narcotics syndicates instead of merely intercepting consignments.According to the agency, Nengzatuan headed a trafficking network that routed methamphetamine tablets and heroin from Myanmar through Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura for distribution across India and Bangladesh.Investigators said the accused is wanted in multiple cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and is the principal accused in three NCB cases involving seizures of about 28.22 kg of methamphetamine tablets and 1.278 kg of heroin, collectively valued at more than Rs 25 crore. He is also allegedly linked to seven other NDPS cases registered by Manipur Police and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).The agency said its investigation has so far linked the syndicate to seizures of methamphetamine, heroin and proceeds of crime collectively valued at more than Rs 53 crore.NCB said the investigation was built through a series of intelligence-led operations over several months, during which carriers, transport coordinators, receivers and local facilitators were arrested before investigators identified the Myanmar-based supplier directing the network from across the international border.Among those arrested earlier in the investigation are Abdullah Ahmed of Silchar, alleged to be the principal receiver and coordinator of consignments entering Assam; Lalthlamuong Pulamte of Churachandpur, Nengultinkhum Hrangngul of Pherzawl and Paominlen Munlo of Churachandpur, besides several other associates from Manipur and Assam.NCB said the investigation exposed a structured transnational criminal network involving international suppliers, cross-border couriers, transport coordinators, local facilitators, hawala operators and financial handlers.The agency said Nengzatuan’s arrest follows those of Lalhmingsanga in March and Thancintuang alias Chintuang alias Tluanga in May this year, reflecting its sustained campaign against transnational drug trafficking networks operating along the India-Myanmar border.NCB said financial investigations are continuing to trace proceeds of crime, identify additional assets and uncover other members of the syndicate.
