Amit Shah Calls Anti-Narcotics Operation in Northeast a ‘Lethal Blow’ to International Drug Cartels

Operation Trident: 18 Arrested as Anti-Narcotics Crackdown Hits 38 Locations Across No

A major anti-narcotics operation spanning Assam, Mizoram and Manipur has dealt a significant blow to an international drug-trafficking network, with 18 people arrested during coordinated raids at 38 locations on October 23, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

Conducted by multiple agencies, Operation Trident uncovered hawala transactions worth ₹100 crore. Authorities also froze 1,424 bank accounts, attached properties valued at ₹17.82 crore, and seized 500 detonators along with ₹12 lakh in cash.

In a statement shared on social media, Shah described the action as another major strike against drug cartels, crediting central agencies and the police forces of all three northeastern states for carrying out the operation.

According to the Home Minister, the cartel was involved in trafficking narcotics across the borders of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through the corridor he referred to as the “Death Triangle Corridor”.

Shah said the operation reflected the government’s determination to dismantle drug-trafficking networks across the country. He reiterated the target of eliminating every drug network by December 31, 2029, and congratulated the personnel involved in the coordinated crackdown.

The operation combined enforcement action against alleged drug trafficking with financial investigations, including the identification of suspected hawala transactions, the freezing of bank accounts and the attachment of assets. The seizures and arrests are part of the wider effort to disrupt the financial and operational networks supporting cross-border narcotics smuggling.

Shah said the government would continue its action against drug cartels until their networks were dismantled.