India, May 23 -- Assam has emerged as the state with the highest number of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in northeast and eastern India, reflecting a sharp rise in drug seizures, arrests and recoveries, while Manipur has emerged as the biggest hotspot for heroin seizures.

The data was based on a cross-border drug trafficking and seizure report of 12 states in the eastern part of country compiled using data from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

According to the report, Assam registered 12,500 NDPS cases and 20,398 arrests during the five-year period. Odisha came second with 12,405 cases and 17,016 arrests.

While Assam topped the list in overall cases, Manipur recorded the highest her...