No large scale drugs trade in M’laya: Customs
SHILLONG: Over 3,39,400 sticks of cigarettes of foreign origin in three different cases were uncovered during seizures made by the Customs in 2015-16 in addition to 286.65 kg and 459 kg of Ganja (Cannabis) seized in separate cases in September and December 2015, respectively.
Meghalaya’s remote border areas are regions where Ganja is cultivated; however it is of inferior quality as compared to the Ganja found in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, sources informed.
Local consumption of drugs and cannabis is less while cultivated ganja is smuggled to Bangladesh as there is demand and more profit, the sources added.
Over 900 bottles of Phensedyl, a banned cough syrup, was seized in October 2015.
“There is not much operation of drugs in Meghalaya, no market for drugs and narcotics here and local consumption is less,” sources in the Customs department informed.
Sources informed that the Northeastern states are in close proximity with the Golden Triangle (Myanmar) infamous for its opium production and drug trafficking and heroin is refined opium. Myanmar has emerged as the second largest producer of opium after Afghanistan, they said.
In this connection, the border areas of Manipur and Mizoram have an indirect affect in the Northeastern region with its close proximity with Myanmar; however, less quantity arrives in the North East.
Meanwhile, in 2015-16 a total of 13 cases were taken up under the Customs Act, 1962 and goods seized include ladies garments, umbrellas, furniture, cattle and consumer items including footwear, soft drinks, snacks, eatables etc.
