As part of the State government’s ‘War Against Drugs’, the Nagaland Police seized narcotics and other illegal substances worth over Rs. 118.83 crore in 2024 alone and arrested 343 persons. (See Table)
Disclosing this to the media at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chümoukedima on Wednesday, IGP Criminal Investigation Department, Vikram Khalete said 199 cases were registered in 2024. It was also informed during the last two weeks of January 2025, the police seized 203 soap cases of heroin worth Rs. 8.31 crore and arrested 18 persons (14 males and 4 females).
IGP also disclosed that 60 major traffickers were booked from 2023 till 2025 (January) under Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988.
He mentioned that Nagaland remained a key transit route for narcotics, with most drugs originating from Manipur before being smuggled onto Assam, Karnataka, Punjab, and other states.
He said recent investigations indicated a shift in trafficking tactics, with private vehicles being modified with concealed compartments for transporting drugs, making detection even more challenging.
The IGP acknowledged that cybercrime too had become a threat with criminals increasingly exploiting digital platforms for making fraudulent job offers, sex-tortion and blackmail, announce fake bank rewards, phishing scams and other online financial frauds.
To protect against such crimes, he cautioned against clicking on suspicious links, and sharing personal or financial details online. And in case of becoming a victim of cyber fraud, he appealed for calling Cybercrime Helpline 1930 immediately. “Timely reporting can help block fraudulent transactions and prevent further financial loss,” he pointed out.
Reiterating Nagaland Police’s commitment to eliminating drug trafficking and cybercrime, Khalete assured continuing working in close coordination with law enforcement agencies and the public to ensure a safe society. He also extended heartfelt gratitude to the citizens for their support and cooperation.
In case of anyone having any information regarding drugs, he called for sharing this with the nearest police station or contacting the Narcotics Police Station, Police Headquarters (PHQ).
Commissioner of police Dimapur, Kevithuto Sophie highlighted the ongoing efforts of the law enforcement agencies to fight the menace of drug trafficking and substance abuse.
In the war against drugs since the past two years, he claimed that significant achievements had been made in curbing drug-related crimes in the state. In this regard, he credited the proactive leadership of the additional director general of police (ADGP) and his dedication in intensifying efforts to dismantle drug networks in the state.
Sophie appealed the public to report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking to the police, stressing that while people often visited police offices with vague concerns, clear and specific information was crucial for effective action. He assured the citizens of Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland that their identities would always be protected when they shared information with the police.
Shedding light on Nagaland’s role as a transit hub for drug trafficking, he stated that drugs were primarily transported from Myanmar into Manipur and then into Dimapur before being transported to other states. However, due to intensified crackdowns, he said the traffickers now hesitated to bring drugs directly into Nagaland. Instead, many drug users from Dimapur and surrounding areas were found traveling to places like Khatkhati, Lahorijan, and Manja in Assam to procure drugs.
He urged the citizens to remain alert and report any suspicious activities involving drug transactions or abuse, adding that all police officers’ contact numbers — from the officers-in-charge (OC) to the CP —had been displayed at prominent locations across Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland.
He emphasised, “The fight against drugs is not just the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, but of the entire community. Only through collective efforts we can rid our society of this menace. Together, we can create a safer and drug-free Nagaland.”
Superintendent of police (SP), narcotics, Suresh Shinde too mentioned that Nagaland had emerged as a transit route for drug trafficking, with most illicit consignments entering from Manipur. According to him, intelligence gathered over the past year had revealed that drugs transported through Nagaland were often destined for other states, including Punjab and Karnataka.
He warned the public about a deceptive tactic used by traffickers. In some cases, he said individuals were approached with seemingly harmless requests to drive a vehicle from Kuzama check gate to Dimapur in lieu of Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000. Lured by easy money, he revealed that many unsuspecting individuals agreed without realising that drugs were secretly concealed inside the vehicle.
The SP warned against falling prey to such offers, pointed out that once caught with drugs, the legal consequences could be severe and difficult to navigate.
As law enforcement agencies alone could not eradicate drug trafficking and abuse, he appealed for public cooperation, particularly in providing precise intelligence on drug movements. He pointed out that certain substances such as sunflower were easy to conceal — 1 kg could be hidden in small compartments, making detection difficult without credible information.
He commended the sincere efforts of officers working in the narcotics division, adding that one of the officers was awarded the President’s Medal for meritorious service, after having successfully making major seizures of narcotics. Similarly, he said several officers from the Kohima Narcotics Cell, acting on public tip-offs, had also executed significant drug busts.
Encouraging citizens to play an active role, he reiterated the assurance given by the director general of police (DGP) Rupin Sharma that any individual who provided valuable information would not only be rewarded, but also have the identity kept strictly confidential. He urged people to come forward and report any suspected drug trafficking activities to help curb this growing threat.
Assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Chümoukedima, Ninoto I Zhimomi underlined the significant progress made by the Nagaland Police in combating drug trafficking. He said law enforcement agencies had to rely entirely on external intelligence sources and other agencies until recently to gather crucial information regarding drug-related activities.
However, under the leadership and strategic initiatives of the PHQ, he mentioned that the police had successfully built their own intelligence-gathering network.
By enhancing surveillance techniques, strengthening coordination among officers, and leveraging modern technology, he claimed that the police now had the capability to independently monitor and track illicit drug activities. “This transformation has allowed for more proactive law enforcement, ensuring quicker responses and more effective operations against drug traffickers,” he explained.
Highlighting a few recent successful operations, Zhimomi maintained that these were a testament to the effectiveness of the police’s growing intelligence network. He said the success of such missions had reinforced confidence among field officers and personnel, proving that Nagaland Police could take on drug traffickers head on with the right leadership, strategic planning, and dedication.