NE witnessing surge in drug smuggling from Myanmar: Official
Delivering a comprehensive presentation at an event organised by the Press Information Bureau, Shillong, in collaboration with the office of the commissioner, customs (preventive), NER Headquarters, Shillong, to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, Spencer M Mylliem, joint commissioner, customs, shed light on the recent trends in the movement of drugs from neighbouring Myanmar.
He revealed how the region is increasingly being used as a transit as well as consumption corridor.
He outlined patterns in trafficking, key enforcement actions, major seizures, and the critical role of inter-agency coordination. "The region is witnessing a surge in synthetic drug smuggling, especially amphetamine, largely trafficked from Myanmar. This is closely tied to the political instability in the region and porous border areas," he said.
The joint commissioner said the customs (preventive) NER has stepped up efforts through a variety of measures across all northeastern states and added that the department relies heavily on informants, reward mechanisms, and inter-agency coordination. He added that the custom officers across the region have made seizures in close collaboration with BSF, Assam Rifles and state police forces. "Our enforcement efforts depend on timely intelligence and strong collaboration with partner agencies.
Regular joint meetings and shared operations are crucial," he added.
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