Aizawl, Jan 26: Mizoram Governor Gen (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh (Rtd) on Monday said the state police have intensified action against narcotic trafficking and organised crime, leading to the seizure of drugs and related substances worth Rs 816 crore since April 2025.

Addressing the 77th Republic Day celebrations in Aizawl after unfurling the national flag, the governor said 338 people were arrested in 217 cases linked to drug trafficking. He also informed that smuggled Burmese areca nuts valued at Rs 17.8 crore were confiscated during the same period.

Singh said the police seized 42 arms along with ammunition and magazines, leading to multiple arrests and registration of cases. He added that strong enforcement against the illegal liquor trade, despite Mizoram being a dry state since 2019, resulted in the seizure of local spirits, Indian Made Foreign Liquor, foreign liquor and beer. A total of 82 cases were registered and 99 people arrested in connection with liquor-related offences.

The governor said the Excise and Narcotics department seized 475 kg of drugs and arrested 611 offenders during the 2025–26 financial year, generating over Rs 1.69 crore in revenue, which exceeded the annual target. He also said the home department has set up a Directorate of Prosecution.

On development initiatives, Singh said the state government has launched Phase-II of the ‘Bana Kaih’ (Hand Holding) scheme with an allocation of Rs 350 crore for 2025–26 to support beneficiaries through loans and financial assistance.

He further announced the launch of the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme, under which beneficiaries will be eligible for cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh at empanelled hospitals within and outside Mizoram, including government hospitals, private hospitals and day-care centres.