NONGSTOIN: West Khasi Hills police busted a drug racket and arrested the ring leader of the group in a crackdown launched on Wednesday evening.
The operation was led by officer incharge of Nongstoin, S. Kharmyndai.
Police sources on Thursday said that the ring leader, Jeffrey Lyngdoh of Mawiong Lumsyntiew here, who used to supply heroin here, was arrested after a tip off.
Lyngdoh had hired a local taxi bearing registration number ML 06 6567 to go to Shillong to buy drugs from Madanriting for distribution and sale in Nongstoin town.
After receiving information about his mode of operation, police began checking vehicles and a raid was conducted in Lumsohkhlur village, Mairang, as authorised by West Khasi Hills superintendent of police, G.D Kharwanlang, and the suspect, Lyngdoh was found inside one of them driven by one Miketining Sohpoh around 8pm.
Police after searching the ring leader’s belongings, found 24.95 grams heroin inside his bag, which was confirmed by a drug testing kit.
All necessary legal procedures were taken up as per the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act on the spot in the presence of independent witnesses and under the supervision of H P Kharkongor, sub-divisional police officer, Mairang.
The driver, Miketining Sohphoh explained that he was oblivious about the presence of drugs with Jeffrey Lyngdoh since the latter had reserved his vehicle on the pretext of procuring medicine for himself and his wife from Shillong.
In this regard, Mairang PS Case number 16(07)2018 under Section 21(b)/27 of NDPS Act was registered by police.
“The successful crackdown which led to the arrest of the ring leader is certainly a reprieve and will improve the situation here but police will carry on its operations against all kinds anti-social elements here,” a police official said.
