Anti-drug body arrests Myanmar-based drug kingpin linked to Rs 53-crore network

The Narcotics Control Bureau said its investigation has uncovered a Myanmar-based transnational drug trafficking syndicate that smuggled methamphetamine and heroin into India through the Northeast.

In Short

• Investigators linked the syndicate to meth, heroin and crime proceeds
• Network moved contraband through four northeastern states regularly
• Network linked to Rs 53 crore worth seizures across India and Bangladesh

A joint team of the Manipur Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Wednesday arrested an Myanmar-based drug kingpin from Manipur, with investigators claiming he headed a transnational narcotics network linked to drug seizures worth over Rs 53 crore across India and Bangladesh.

The accused, identified as Nengjatuan alias Tuanpi, was arrested during a raid at Hotel Venus in Manipur’s Churachandpur district. According to the Manipur Police, he is a major drug supplier wanted in several cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by the NCB, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Manipur Police.

The NCB described Tuanpi as a "drug kingpin" and said he is a resident of Haichin in Myanmar's Chin State and a key figure in a Myanmar-based transnational drug trafficking syndicate.

“The arrest follows months of intelligence development, technical surveillance, coordinated interstate operations and sustained investigations, underscoring NCB’s strategy of targeting the leadership of transnational drug trafficking networks rather than merely intercepting individual consignments,” the agency said in a statement.

According to the NCB, investigations have revealed that Tuanpi was one of the principal international suppliers operating from Chin State, allegedly controlling a trafficking network that smuggled methamphetamine tablets and heroin through Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura for distribution across India and Bangladesh.

The agency said the accused is the principal accused in three NCB cases involving the seizure of around 28.22 kg of methamphetamine tablets and 1.278 kg of heroin, with an estimated value of more than Rs 25 crore. He is also linked to seven other NDPS cases registered by the Churachandpur Police, Singngat Police and the DRI.

Investigators said the syndicate operated through a well-organised network comprising international suppliers, cross-border couriers, transport coordinators, local facilitators, receivers and financial handlers.

The network has so far been linked to seizures of methamphetamine, heroin and proceeds of crime collectively valued at over Rs 53 crore.

The NCB said financial investigations are underway to trace additional proceeds of crime, assets and other members of the syndicate.

Over the past several months, the agency has arrested several key members of the network through intelligence-led operations across Manipur and Assam, including Abdullah Ahmed of Assam's Silchar, claimed to be the principal receiver and coordinator of consignments entering the state, Lalthlamuong Pulamte of Churachandpur, Nengultinkhum Hrangngul of Pherzawl, and Paominlen Munlo of Churachandpur, who was allegedly the receiver in a major methamphetamine seizure.

According to the NCB, the interrogation of these accused, supported by technical surveillance, digital evidence and financial investigations, helped investigators identify and arrest Tuanpi as the alleged Myanmar-based supplier directing the syndicate from across the international border.

The agency said the latest arrest follows the earlier arrests of Lalhmingsanga in March 2026 and Thancintuang alias Chintuang alias Tluanga in May 2026, and reflects its strategy of dismantling entire transnational drug trafficking networks by targeting their international suppliers, financiers, coordinators and logistics providers.

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