Border Drug Route Under Scanner as Two Held with Suspected Narcotics

NAZIRA, July 19, 2026 — In a major anti-narcotics operation, Shimlaguri Police in Assam's Nazira Co-District arrested two alleged drug peddlers and seized approximately 18 grams of suspected narcotics during a vehicle check near the Assam–Nagaland border on Friday.

Acting on specific intelligence, police intercepted a scooter (AS-04-AG-5673) travelling from the Bihubar Siloni side. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the suspected drugs.

The arrested have been identified as Ritul Ali and Barsha Gogoi, both residents of Lakhminagar in Sivasagar district.

According to police sources, the duo allegedly admitted during preliminary interrogation that they had procured the drugs from Naginimora in neighbouring Nagaland, an area that has repeatedly figured in investigations into cross-border narcotics trafficking.

The latest seizure comes amid mounting concern over the spread of drugs and cannabis across the Nazira Co-District. Residents have long alleged that narcotics are being smuggled into Assam through border routes, while urging law enforcement agencies to dismantle the larger trafficking networks rather than targeting only street-level carriers.

Parents and community leaders have also voiced concern over the growing number of young people, including students, reportedly falling victim to substance abuse. They warned that unless the supply chain is broken and stricter enforcement is ensured, the region's youth will continue to remain vulnerable.

Police have registered a case and launched a further investigation to identify those behind the alleged supply network.