SHILLONG, April 29: As Meghalaya continues its battle against the menace of drugs, the biggest challenge for the state government is curbing the inflow of narcotics through East Jaintia Hills.
The northern and eastern regions of the Jaintia Hills — comprising both West and East Jaintia Hills districts — share a significant portion of their boundary with Assam. East Jaintia Hills is considered the primary gateway for drug trafficking into Meghalaya, largely due to its proximity to the infamous “Death Triangle” via Assam.
Highly-placed police officials involved in tackling drug-related crimes revealed that National Highway-06, which connects Barak Valley to Guwahati, passes through the Jaintia Hills region and acts as a major conduit for narcotic and psychotropic substances. These drugs are believed to be smuggled from Myanmar via Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Assam.
Sources informed that the region, which once served mainly as a transit point for drug trafficking, has now turned into a significant consumption zone. With the growing number of drug-related cases and seizures, several areas — such as Lad Rymbai, Khliehriat, Ratacherra, and Jowai — have emerged as hotspots for both trade and abuse.
The most commonly intercepted contraband includes heroin, ganja, YABA tablets, and codeine-based cough syrups like Phensedyl, Recodex, and Relaxcof.
Investigations indicate that these substances often originate in Myanmar and follow a route through Jiribam-Aizawl-Kohima-Silchar-Ratacherra-Khliehriat-Jowai-Mawryngkneng-Shillong-Nongpoh-Guwahati.
Case registration data from the Jaintia Hills districts over the past five years (2020-2024) show that 97 NDPS-related cases were registered, out of which 87 have been charge-sheeted and 7 are still under investigation. As many as 86 cases are currently pending trial, and only one conviction has been recorded so far.
During this period, 182 individuals, including 13 women, have been arrested from the Jaintia Hills districts. Authorities also seized 15.474 kg of heroin, 14.232 kg of white crystal meth, and other psychotropic substances.
