By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 26: The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of East Jaintia Hills Police on Tuesday arrested two persons and seized 137.86 grams of heroin valued at around Rs 60 lakh, along with two mobile phones.
The seizure was made during an operation, which was conducted during a naka check at Umkiang Police Patrol Post under Lumshnong Police Station.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikash Kumar informed that the team first intercepted a vehicle and apprehended Hajrat Umar (28) of Kaliachak, Malda district of West Bengal. Subsequently, a search led to the recovery of 11 soap boxes containing heroin and the mobile phones.
Based on further investigation, the police arrested another accused, Phulchand Ali of Lum Survey, Ajmera, Shillong, described as a notorious peddler involved in inter-state drug trafficking. Kumar said that the duo is suspected to be part of a larger drug syndicate operating across state borders.
A case has been registered at Lumshnong Police Station under the NDPS Act, and investigation is under way.
Meanwhile, in Laban, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), in the presence members of KSU Laban Circle, on Tuesday arrested one individual at Madan Laban and seized a packet containing approximately 9 grams of suspected drugs from his possession.
The accused, identified as Rohit Baruah (29), a resident of Dongshiliang, Lower Lumparing, was arrested at around 3 pm.
Following his arrest, the police brought along two sniffer dogs to conduct a search of his rented house
During the raid, they found only small empty vials and syringes which are estimated to be worth around Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000.
These items were found hidden in a garbage disposal area, after the sniffer dogs led the police to the spot.
The Seng Kynthei Lower Lumparing expressed shock and concern after the arrest of the drug trafficker, who was found to be residing in their locality.
The Seng Kynthei said that the incident came as a surprise as they never imagined such criminal activities to occur in their locality, especially related to drug trafficking.
KSU Madan Laban president Kevin Nelson Wanrap expressed gratitude to the ANTF for apprehending the major drug trafficker and affirmed that the organisation will continue its pursuit of wrongdoers.
The Lower Lumparing Dorbar Shnong has asked the drug trafficker and those associated with him to vacate the rented house within one week.
Secretary of Lower Lumparing, Rostan Shabong, also shocked, stated that such incidents had not happened in the past in their locality.
