NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday announced a major crackdown on an international narcotics cartel, with Operation Trident targeting 38 locations across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur.The operation, that took place on October 23, uncovered hawala transactions worth Rs 100 crore and resulted in the freezing of 1,424 bank accounts and the attachment of properties valued at Rs 17.82 crore. Officials also seized 500 detonators and Rs 12 lakh in cash, while 18 people were arrested.Announcing the operation on X, Shah said that the cartel was trafficking narcotics across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through the Death Triangle Corridor. He credited the central agencies and police forces of the three states for the crackdown.“Modi Govt deals another lethal blow against drugs with Operation Trident,” Shah said in his post.He said that the agencies had launched coordinated crackdowns across the three states, dismantling the international network and uncovering its financial transactions. The operation, he added, was part of the Centre’s mission to eliminate every drug network in the country by December 31, 2029.“The offensive attests to India’s Himalayan resolve to realise the mission of eradicating every drug network by 31 December 2029. India will hammer until the last nail is driven into the coffin of drug cartels,” Shah said.Congratulating the anti-narcotics team, the home minister acknowledged the role of central agencies and the police forces of Assam, Mizoram and Manipur in the operation.“Heartiest congratulations to the anti-narcotics team comprising central agencies, and police forces of the three states.”
Centre targets drug networks by December 2029
The operation comes amid the Centre’s push to eliminate drug networks from the country by December 31, 2029. Shah has said that the home ministry will dedicate the remaining part of 2026 and the following three years to freeing the country from the drug menace.He has also called on police forces across the country to participate wholeheartedly in implementing the Nasha Mukt Bharat roadmap.At the third National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) heads of states and Union territories in New Delhi in September, Shah said the country would collectively succeed in uprooting the drug trade by December 31, 2029.He emphasised coordinated action, clear targets and accountability, along with the need to dismantle drug networks. Protecting young people from substance abuse, he said, was also important to achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan reaches over 35 crore people
The Centre’s anti-drug efforts also include the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, implemented by the ministry of social justice and empowerment under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).As on date, the campaign has reached more than 35 crore people, including over 13.94 crore young people and 10.86 crore women. It has also engaged with more than 32 lakh educational institutions.Launched on August 15, 2020, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan initially covered 272 vulnerable districts before expanding its reach across the country. The campaign places particular emphasis on young people, women and communities, recognising their role in preventing substance use and promoting healthy lifestyles.