From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, April 27: In a significant development, a Naka operation conducted at Rattachera Check Post under East Jaintia Hills on Saturday led to the interception and subsequent seizure of a substantial quantity of heroin with an estimated market value of Rs 7.2 crore.
The operation, which commenced around 8 am, focused on screening vehicles passing through the checkpoint. During the inspection, a Mahindra pick-up truck lacking proper registration markings drew the attention of authorities. Upon thorough examination, officials discovered a black plastic gallon drum, which upon further inspection, revealed suspicious packets containing contraband substances.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Nehtinmang Haokip (36), a resident of M Songgel village, Churachandpur district, Manipur, disclosed during interrogation that the contraband substance was procured from Churachandpur, Manipur, with the intention of transporting it to Shillong.
In the presence of independent witnesses, law enforcement personnel recovered 84 soap cases from the drum, each containing yellowish/orange powder suspected to be heroin. Preliminary tests confirmed the presence of heroin, with the net weight estimated to be approximately 900 grams.
The seized contraband substance, along with the truck and a mobile phone, were confiscated by authorities. The driver, identified as the prime suspect, has been detained, and legal proceedings are under way. An NDPS case is being registered in connection with the incident.