Rs 100-crore hawala trail exposed as Op Trident hits drug cartel in Northeast states

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Sunday that India would continue to attack drug cartels until their destruction is complete, citing the results of Operation Trident. The multi-agency crackdown, executed on October 23, targeted an international narcotics network operating across India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Simultaneous raids across Assam, Mizoram, and Manipur resulted in the arrest of 18 individuals and the freezing of 1,424 bank accounts. Authorities exposed hawala transactions valued at 100 crore rupees, effectively disrupting the financial lifeline of the syndicate. Shah announced these findings in a post on the social media platform X. He stated that the operation aimed to dismantle the operational and financial backbone of the cartel. The ministry reported that the raids led to the attachment of properties worth 17.82 crore rupees. Investigators also seized 500 detonators and 12 lakh rupees in cash. Shah praised the anti-narcotics teams drawn from central agencies and the police forces of the three northeastern states. He emphasized the government’s determination to eradicate every drug network by December 31, 2029. In his message, he used forceful language, stating that India would drive the final nail into the coffin of drug cartels. The operation was spearheaded by the Narcotics Control Bureau in coordination with the Mizoram Police, the Enforcement Directorate, and other enforcement bodies. Under a unified command structure, 38 composite multi-agency teams struck simultaneously at 38 pre-identified locations. The targets included key urban hubs and sensitive border corridors. Specific sites included Aizawl, Champhai, and the Indo-Myanmar border trading town of Zokhawthar in Mizoram. Linked operative bases in Churachandpur, Manipur, and the Cachar transit corridor in Assam were also hit. Government statements indicated that the raids followed days of covert intelligence fusion and joint target mapping. High-level tactical briefings were held among central and state agencies prior to the execution. The strategy was designed to strike the syndicate’s logistics nodes and illicit financial arteries at the same time. This approach prevented suspects from fleeing or concealing assets despite the challenging terrain and vast geographical spread. Investigators focused on suspected facilitators, shell entities, money mules, and illicit financial transactions. The cartel was reportedly led by Thangcintuang, also known as Chintuang or Tluanga. Based in Myanmar, he orchestrated the cross-border routing of methamphetamine and heroin. The route utilized the so-called Death Triangle Corridor, moving drugs through the Myanmar-Mizoram-Manipur-Assam-Tripura corridor into mainland India and Bangladesh. Thangcintuang was arrested in May of this year. Earlier phases of the probe had already dismantled key parts of the cartel. His arrest occurred in Delhi following inter-state surveillance and intelligence-led operations. Records show that Thangcintuang was wanted in more than 10 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. These cases involved the NCB, Champhai Police, and Mizoram Excise authorities. The current operation built upon sustained investigations by the NCB, Mizoram Police, and the Enforcement Directorate. Financial profiling and digital forensics conducted during previous stages helped map the wider network of operatives and financial intermediaries. This groundwork paved the way for the simultaneous raids. The crackdown aligns with the Vision Document on Narcotics Control for the period 2026 to 2029. The document outlines a commitment to eliminating drug networks through intelligence-led investigations, inter-agency coordination, and financial disruption. Officials noted that exceptional inter-departmental coordination ensured all searches, inquiries, and financial audits were executed concurrently. The operation marked a significant step in disrupting the transnational narco-financial syndicates active in the region. Shah concluded his remarks by reaffirming the zero-tolerance stance of the administration against drug trafficking. He highlighted the scale of the recovery and the number of arrests as evidence of the effectiveness of the coordinated effort. The focus on financial disruption aims to starve the cartels of resources needed to sustain their operations. The involvement of multiple agencies underscores the complexity of the network being dismantled. The seizures included specific items such as detonators, suggesting potential links to broader security threats beyond just narcotics distribution. The cash recovered adds to the total value of assets seized. The freezing of over 1,400 bank accounts indicates the extensive reach of the hawala system used by the group. Authorities continue to trace backward and forward links in the cases selected for comprehensive probes. The goal remains to ensure that no part of the network survives the initial shock of the raids. As the investigation progresses, further details regarding the flow of funds and the identities of additional participants may emerge. The collaboration between central and state law enforcement agencies played a crucial role in the success of the operation. The geographic scope of the raids required careful planning to ensure simultaneous impact. The outcome demonstrates the capability of Indian agencies to conduct large-scale, synchronized actions against organized crime groups operating across national borders.