Shillong, Sept 24: The Superintendent of Police (SP) of East Khasi Hills, Sylvester Nongtnger, on Tuesday informed that between 2019 and April 2024, a total of 250 cases have been registered, resulting in the arrest of 485 individuals in the district. He said despite the rise in drug menace in East Khasi Hills, the police remain committed to combating drug-related crimes in the district.
Speaking to reporters he refuted claims that law enforcement has been inactive in addressing this issue.
According to him, significant progress has been made in recent years. In 2019, 52 cases were registered, leading to the arrest of 92 accused. The following years saw similar action: 28 cases and 45 arrests in 2020, 26 cases and 48 arrests in 2021, and a marked increase in 2022 with 46 cases and 114 arrests. The trend continued in 2023, with 71 cases registered and 133 people arrested. This year, up to January, 27 cases have been registered and 53 arrests made.
The police have seized substantial quantities of narcotics during this period, including more than half a ton of cannabis, over 2 kilograms of opium, Yaba tablets, and other intoxicants.
When asked about the nature of those arrested, Nongtnger clarified that many are drug traffickers, while some are drug dealers, with several cases currently under trial. He dismissed claims that the police are only targeting small-time dealers, emphasizing that their primary goal is to apprehend traffickers operating from behind the scenes.
On the issue of destroying confiscated drugs, the SP explained that the government has established a drug disposal committee, tasked with ensuring the proper destruction of seized narcotics. The drugs are disposed of by incineration at a designated location in Lumshnong. This process takes place two to three times a year, once legal proceedings are concluded.
The SP also noted the challenges in combating the drug menace, stating that the main issue faced by the police is gathering reliable sources. He added that inspecting every vehicle is a mammoth task and could be perceived as harassment of the public.
