World · South & Central Asia · 1 hr ago
Operation Trident targets drug cartel across three Indian states; 18 arrested
India's anti-narcotics agencies and police raided 38 locations in three northeastern states on October 23 under Operation Trident.
Home Minister Amit Shah said the operation targeted an international narcotics cartel and 18 people were arrested.
Authorities froze 1,424 bank accounts, attached property worth ₹17.82 crore, and seized 500 detonators and ₹12 lakh in cash.
Investigators also uncovered hawala transactions worth ₹100 crore.
Shah said the cartel moved drugs across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through the Death Triangle Corridor.
The crackdown is part of the government's effort to eliminate every drug network by December 31, 2029.
Operation Trident targeted 38 locations across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on October 23, leading to 18 arrests, Amit Shah said.
Authorities froze 1,424 bank accounts and attached properties worth ₹17.82 crore.
The operation exposed hawala transactions worth ₹100 crore and seized 500 detonators and ₹12 lakh in cash.
Shah said the cartel trafficked narcotics across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through the Death Triangle Corridor.
He said the operation supported the government’s goal of eradicating every drug network by December 31, 2029.
- Who
- Eighteen people were arrested. Amit Shah announced the operation.
- What
- Operation Trident targeted an international narcotics cartel and led to arrests and seizures.
- When
- The operation took place on October 23, 2026. Shah announced it on October 25.
- Where
- Across 38 locations in Assam, Mizoram and Manipur.
- Why
- Authorities targeted a cartel that Shah said trafficked narcotics across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Multiple agencies carried out simultaneous crackdowns at 38 locations across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur.
Amit Shah announced the operation and said 18 people had been arrested.
- Operation
- Trident
- Locations targeted
- 38 across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur
- Arrests
- 18 people
- Bank accounts frozen
- 1,424
- Properties attached
- ₹17.82 crore
- Cash seized
- ₹12 lakh
4 sources
Raids on NE drug cartels reveal illicit deals worth Rs 270cr
6 arrested, over 1,400 bank accounts frozen in Manipur, Mizoram as ED busts cross-border ‘narco-hawala’ scam
Amit Shah hails ‘lethal blow’ to international narco-cartel following anti-narcotics operation in Assam, Mizoram and Manipur
What people are saying
The network trafficked narcotics across the borders of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through the Death Triangle Corridor.
India will hammer until the last nail is driven into the coffin of drug cartels.
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Modi Govt deals another lethal blow against drugs with Operation Trident. Our agencies launched a barrage of simultaneous crackdowns across 38 locations in Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on 23 October, smashing an international narco-cartel. The operation revealed ₹100 crore worth