Guwahati: In a major narcotics seizure on Thursday, Guwahati police intercepted a truck near the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) and recovered a large consignment of drugs, including heroin and YABA tablets, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Details of the interception and seizure
Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle and discovered packets concealed inside soap boxes. The haul comprised 10 soap cases of heroin and 1,40,000 YABA tablets, the Chief Minister said in a social media post. Two persons suspected to be involved in trafficking were taken into custody during the operation.
“Mirror mirror on the wall, tell me how much drugs in all? Rs 39.4 crore! @GuwahatiPol, in an excellent op intercepted a truck near ISBT carrying 10 soap cases of heroin & 1,40,000 YABA tablets—saving the future of our youth,” the post said.
The Chief Minister put the estimated street value of the seized consignment at ₹39.4 crore and reiterated that the state government's drive against narcotics will be pursued with vigour.
What is YABA and why it is a concern
YABA, often called “crazy medicine” in Thai, is a tablet form containing a mixture of methamphetamine — a highly addictive stimulant — and caffeine. Law-enforcement agencies and health experts in the region have repeatedly warned about the social and public-health consequences of rising methamphetamine abuse, particularly among young people.
Operational specifics and immediate consequences
The interception near the city’s ISBT underscores the use of regional transport hubs in the movement of narcotics. Officials have not released the identities of the two arrested individuals nor indicated whether further arrests are expected as investigations continue. The police operation reflects intensified anti-narcotics activity in Assam amid repeated seizures across the North-East in recent years.
- Location: Near Guwahati ISBT
- Items seized: 10 soap cases of heroin; 1,40,000 YABA tablets
- Estimated value: ₹39.4 crore (as stated by the Chief Minister)
- Arrests: Two persons apprehended
| Item | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heroin (in soap cases) | 10 soap cases | Recovered concealed in soap boxes |
| YABA tablets | 1,40,000 tablets | Tablet form of methamphetamine + caffeine |
| Estimated value | ₹39.4 crore | Figure provided by Chief Minister |
Police sources reported that the tip-off enabled a timely interception, though detailed forensic analysis of the seized drugs and a formal valuation will follow standard procedures. The Directorate of Narcotics Control and local police units typically coordinate laboratory testing and chain-of-custody arrangements in cases of this scale.
Broader context and the administration’s stance
The Chief Minister’s comment that the operation helped in “saving the future of our youth” echoes repeated official concerns over stimulant abuse in the North-East. Assam's leadership has in recent years emphasised a stronger law-and-order response as well as awareness and rehabilitation measures, stating that supply-chain disruption is a key priority.
Investigations are expected to explore the origin of the consignment, the intended distribution network and whether organised groups were involved. Authorities have indicated the probe will continue and that further details will be released as evidence is processed and charges are framed.
The seizure at a major transport junction highlights the continuing challenge for authorities to prevent the trafficking of illicit drugs through urban transit corridors. For Guwahati residents, the incident underlines sustained enforcement activity and the administration’s insistence on curbing narcotics that pose a risk to public health and community safety.
Further updates will follow as police complete forensic testing and file formal charges in accordance with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and other applicable laws.
