By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 26: In observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, the Customs (Preventive) North Eastern Region conducted a series of awareness and outreach programmes, culminating in the destruction of seized drugs worth Rs 167.47 crores.
Leading up to June 26, the Customs department organised awareness programmes at several schools, including Kendriya Vidyalaya GC in Agartala, Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Dhubri, and Government Chawnpui High School in Aizawl.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Department held outreach programmes at KRIPA Foundation De-Addiction Centre for Children and New Hope De-Addiction cum Counselling Centre in Shillong. An interactive session with Dr. Jasmine M Lyngdoh, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Routes, Shillong, discussed the ill effects of drugs and alcohol, coping mechanisms, and methods to aid de-addiction. Indoor and outdoor sports items were also provided to promote physical well-being among the patients.
In a drug destruction drive across Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, the department saw the destruction of 12.48 kg of heroin, 45.27 kg of methamphetamine/Yaba tablets, 5804.78 kg of ganja, and 66,728 bottles of codeine-based cough syrups. The total seizure value of the destroyed drugs was Rs. 167.47 crores. The destruction was carried out in a secure and environmentally responsible manner, ensuring these harmful substances were permanently removed from circulation.
