Fresh intelligence inputs suggest that drug cartels are trying to incite widespread violence across several northeastern states, with the aim of disrupting security operations and reopening narcotics smuggling corridors, according to officials cited by IANS.
Recent actions by the Narcotics Control Bureau have dented cartel operations across the region, and officials believe this explains why “certain elements” are trying to stir unrest. An Intelligence Bureau official said several states in the region remain vulnerable to violence, and the idea is to break the security chain so that drugs can flow freely into the region and then be smuggled to other parts of the country.
Peace as a Deterrent
“Peace is a major deterrent for drug operations,” the official said, explaining that when security agencies are pulled into managing civil unrest, cartels exploit the resulting vacuum to move narcotics across borders. Despite difficult terrain — rugged hills and riverine corridors — Indian agencies have managed to largely contain major drug flows originating from Myanmar, officials said, leaving the cartels desperate.
The cartels are also suspected of running disinformation campaigns to incite tensions. “The end goal is to ensure that the whole of northeast burns,” one official said, warning that cross-border elements stand ready to capitalise on any unrest — not just for smuggling narcotics, but also for pushing arms, ammunition, illegal immigrants and terrorists into the region.
Heroin and Yaba Pipelines
Heroin and Yaba — a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine — form the backbone of the Myanmar-based cartels and are pumped into the region in large numbers, officials said. A recent NCB bust in which Yaba tablets worth Rs 50 crore were seized in Guwahati dealt a major blow to the Myanmar syndicate; two operatives were arrested and a manhunt launched for the absconding accused.
Officials warned this is a critical period. The cartels are expected to exploit the run-up to the Manipur elections scheduled for 2027, when security agencies will be busy ensuring peaceful and fair polling. The Home Minister has repeatedly said the war on drugs will be taken to its logical conclusion, and multiple agencies have reported success against drug operations originating from Pakistan, Myanmar and southern states. Earlier, the Assam Rifles delivered a major blow to the region’s drug pipeline, while a frank conversation on drugs at NERIST brought the issue to young people.
#DrugCartels #NortheastIndia #NCB #DrugSmuggling #Myanmar #Yaba #NortheastNews
—
SOURCE: IANS via ianslive.in (Oct 23, 2026) — “Drug cartels trying to incite violence in Northeast to revive smuggling networks: Intel”.
