New Delhi: Anti-narcotics agencies have dismantled an international drug cartel operating across India's Northeast in a coordinated strike codenamed Operation Trident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Sunday, October 25.

Source: ANI

Shah said agencies launched simultaneous crackdowns at 38 locations across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on October 23, arresting 18 people. The operation revealed hawala transactions worth Rs 100 crore — yaani Rs 1 billion (one arab rupees) moving outside the banking system — froze 1,424 bank accounts and attached properties worth Rs 17.82 crore.

Source: ANI

18people arrested
38locations raided
1,424bank accounts frozen
₹100 crorehawala transactions exposed

Investigators also seized 500 detonators and Rs 12 lakh in cash during the raids, the Home Minister said in a post on X, according to ANI.

A cartel run through the 'Death Triangle Corridor'

According to Shah, the network trafficked narcotics across the borders of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through what he described as the 'Death Triangle Corridor'. He congratulated the anti-narcotics teams comprising central agencies and the police forces of the three states, IANS reported.

Source: IANS via NewKerala

"Modi Govt deals another lethal blow against drugs with Operation Trident," Shah wrote, adding that the offensive attested to the government's resolve to eradicate every drug network by December 31, 2029 — a target he had set out at Police Commemoration Day in New Delhi on October 21.

Source: ANI

"India will hammer until the last nail is driven into the coffin of drug cartels," the Home Minister added.