Aizawl: The Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Department arrested at least 13,256 people, including 100 foreign nationals, in drug and alcohol-related cases over a 21-month period from January 2024 to September of this year, a minister said on Wednesday.
State Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar said the department registered 1,016 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and 12,047 cases under the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act, 2025, during the same period.
“A total of 1,563 people were arrested for drug trafficking and related offenses under the NDPS Act, while 10,906 others were arrested under the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act for selling, manufacturing, importing, or consuming illicit liquor,” Hmar told a press conference.
He said that among those arrested in connection with drugs and alcohol were 100 foreign nationals, mostly from Myanmar.
In addition, 787 people were arrested in 826 cases related to liquor under the Mizoram Excise Act, 1973, in the three Autonomous District Council (ADC) areas in the southern part of the state.
According to Hmar, the department seized a large quantity of drugs during the 21-month period, including 80.594 kg of heroin, 425.144 kg of methamphetamine, 1.193 kg of opium, and 801 kg of cannabis.
He said that most of the seized drugs, especially those recovered in large quantities, were intended for transport outside Mizoram. Since the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government, led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, came to power in December 2023, the Excise Department has destroyed drugs worth Rs 71.64 crore in two years.
Hmar said the department also seized large quantities of illicit country liquor, Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), imported foreign liquor, beer, and illegal fruit wine. Mizoram is a dry state, where the manufacture, consumption, sale, and import of alcohol are prohibited under the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act.
In March, the Mizoram Assembly passed an amendment bill to the prohibition law enacted in 2019 during the Mizo National Front (MNF) government. This amendment specifically allows the manufacture, sale, and supply of wine and fruit beer made from locally produced agricultural and horticultural products.
The bill also proposes granting special liquor permits to domestic and foreign dignitaries and tourists.
Hmar said the amended Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Rules were published in the official gazette in October, and the government has constituted a selection committee headed by the Excise Commissioner to oversee the issuance of licenses for the manufacture, sale, and supply of local wine and fruit beer.
He said the government is making extensive efforts to curb drug trafficking and abuse. Despite staff shortages, Excise Department officials are working round the clock to tackle this menace.
However, he acknowledged that the state is still grappling with the drug problem despite the collective efforts of law enforcement agencies and civil society groups.
According to Hmar, 88 people, including 14 women, have died due to drug abuse since January this year.
The minister said the four-month-long crackdown on drug trafficking and addiction launched in September under ‘Operation Jericho’ by the police and the Excise Department in collaboration with the Young Mizo Association (YMA) has yielded positive results. He claimed that this operation has led to a continuous decrease in the supply of drugs and narcotics in the state.
Hmar also said that the government, in collaboration with NGOs and a church, established a detoxification center for drug users near Aizawl in June.
He further added that three new excise and narcotics stations were opened in 2024 in the three new districts of Saitual, Khawzawl, and Hnahthial.
