GUWAHATI:
The Narcotics Management Bureau (NCB) has arrested the kingpin of one of many greatest transnational drug trafficking networks working alongside the India-Myanmar border.
In a press release on Sunday (Might 17, 2026), the NCB stated Thachintuang, often known as Chintuang and Tluanga, was caught in Delhi not too long ago following intensive surveillance, intelligence gathering, interstate coordination, and sustained follow-up operations.
“Chintuang emerged as one of the crucial important traffickers working alongside the Myanmar-Mizoram-Manipur-Assam-Tripura hall and was recognized as a significant worldwide provider of methamphetamine and heroin working from Myanmar,” an NCB officer posted within the northeast stated.
“Investigations revealed his intensive involvement in organising cross-border trafficking networks routing narcotic consignments by means of Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, and Tripura into numerous components of India and Bangladesh,” he stated. Chintuang was needed in a number of instances registered below the Narcotic Medicine and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by the NCB and several other Drug Regulation Enforcement Businesses.
Additional investigation revealed that Chintuang was additionally accused in two NDPS instances registered by Champhai Police in 2025 referring to suspected trafficking of methamphetamine and heroin. He was moreover discovered concerned in six NDPS instances registered by the Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Division in 2023, linked to heroin trafficking actions.
Figuring out associates
“Investigations point out his involvement in illicit drug trafficking networks valued at roughly ₹115 crore. He’s linked to seven NDPS instances linked with the Myanmar-Mizoram-Tripura/Assam hall and can be suspected in 5 extra instances related to the Myanmar-Manipur-Assam route,” the NCB assertion learn.
Chintuang was the prime accused in a 2024 NCB Agartala Zone case involving the seizure of 14 kg of methamphetamine and a pair of.8 kg of heroin. He was additionally the prime accused in one other NCB Agartala Zone case of 2025 involving the seizure of 49.1 kg methamphetamine tablets, the place 9 traffickers had already been arrested earlier than his apprehension.
Throughout the investigation, the NCB recognized and apprehended a number of syndicate members and shut associates of Chintuang. Amongst them, Vungkhanthawna, recognized as an in depth affiliate and key facilitator, performed a significant position in coordinating motion and supply of narcotic consignments linked to the Myanmar-based trafficking community.
Vungkhanthawna was arrested throughout follow-up operations and located to be concerned in one other NDPS case registered by the Mizoram police. Contemplating his continued involvement in illicit trafficking actions, proceedings below the PITNDPS Act have been initiated towards him.
Hawala operations
One other affiliate, Lalrampari, functioned as a significant hawala operator chargeable for dealing with and channelling proceeds generated by means of illicit drug trafficking actions of the syndicate. The NCB arrested her on August 8, 2024.
The investigation revealed hawala transactions amounting to just about ₹100 crore linked to the community, following which the matter was shared with the Enforcement Directorate. Properties suspected to have been acquired by means of proceeds of drug trafficking have been subsequently frozen.
Additional investigation led to the arrest of Abu Saleh, alias Saifuddin, in southern Assam’s Cachar on November 20, 2025. He was recognized as a significant Indian operative and logistics coordinator related to Chintuang’s community, concerned within the transportation and distribution of narcotic substances throughout the Assam hall.
Saleh was linked to a number of NDPS instances registered by the Mizoram police and the Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Division, officers stated.
One of many key accused arrested within the 2025 Agartala Zone case was Jabrul from southern Assam’s Karimganj, linked to Chintuang’s transnational trafficking community. He was apprehended on December 3, 2025, together with a further consignment of narcotic medication.
Investigation revealed his energetic position in interstate trafficking operations and the coordination of drug actions by means of the Tripura-Assam route. Officers stated he was additionally discovered concerned in a number of NDPS instances registered by the Tripura police and the NCB.
Attaching property
“Monetary investigation within the instances led to identification and non permanent freezing of a number of financial institution accounts linked to the accused individuals having substantial suspicious transactions linked with drug trafficking proceeds,” the NCB assertion learn.
The anti-drug bureau initiated “360-degree monetary investigations” towards drug syndicates to determine and fix property generated by means of illicit trafficking. Officers stated that properties, financial institution accounts, and monetary proceeds linked to drug trafficking networks are being recognized and frozen below provisions of the NDPS Act and the Prevention of Cash Laundering Act to dismantle the monetary ecosystem sustaining organised narcotics trafficking.
“Investigation within the instances revealed the existence of a extremely organised interstate and worldwide drug trafficking community extending from Myanmar to Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Tripura, and Bangladesh. The syndicate utilised a number of trafficking routes, native facilitators, transport coordinators, hawala channels, and monetary handlers for smuggling and distribution of Methamphetamine and Heroin throughout worldwide and interstate borders,” the assertion stated.
Chintuang was the second main Myanmar-based drug provider caught by the NCB in 2026.
Within the northeastern area, the NCB registered 48 NDPS instances throughout 2025, ensuing within the arrest of 116 drug traffickers and the seizure of considerable portions of narcotic medication valued at ₹665 crore within the illicit drug market.
In 2026, NCB has registered 31 NDPS instances up to now, ensuing within the arrest of 54 drug traffickers and the seizure of considerable portions of narcotic medication throughout sustained enforcement operations throughout the area.
Revealed – Might 17, 2026 02:15 pm IST
