Shillong, August 11: The Meghalaya State Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), in coordination with district police, has seized 81.42 grams of heroin worth an estimated ₹12 lakh in three intelligence-based operations conducted in West Jaintia Hills and Umiam over the past three days.
The seizures, which resulted in the arrest of four persons, are part of the ANTF’s intensified drive against drug trafficking networks operating within and through Meghalaya.
In the latest operations on August 10, the ANTF seized 32.64 grams of heroin, estimated to be worth around ₹5 lakh, in two separate interceptions at Umiam.
Acting on intelligence inputs about suspected traffickers travelling towards Shillong, ANTF personnel set up nakas at strategic locations in the Umiam area.
Earlier in the evening, a vehicle bearing registration number AS-01-AV-1166 was intercepted at Lad Umiam. The occupant, Allan Marwein, a resident of Mawlai Nongkwar, Block-13, Shillong, was searched in the presence of independent witnesses.
A soap case containing suspected heroin was recovered from the vehicle. The substance tested positive for heroin and weighed 10.93 grams.
Later that night, ANTF personnel intercepted a Scooty bearing registration number ML-05-AB-9546 after its rider allegedly attempted to evade the naka at Umiam. The rider, Jaziel Nongjop Syiem, was detained and searched following prescribed legal procedures.
Two soap cases containing heroin were recovered concealed inside his jacket. The substance tested positive for heroin and had a combined net weight of 21.71 grams.
The two Umiam operations brought the total heroin seizure on August 10 to 32.64 grams.
These followed a joint ANTF-West Jaintia Hills Police operation on August 8, in which 48.78 grams of heroin valued at approximately ₹7 lakh was seized at Phramer along NH-06.
Acting on intelligence that two persons travelling from Silchar towards Shillong were allegedly transporting narcotics, the joint team set up a naka in the Phramer area. At around 8 am, a Network Travels passenger bus bearing registration number ML-05-T-8381 was intercepted.
The two suspects were identified as Robert Nongrum, 33, and Batskhemlang Jarain, 32, both residents of Shillong. Two plastic soap cases concealed inside a jacket were recovered during the search. The substance tested positive for heroin and weighed 48.78 grams.
The ANTF said investigations are underway to establish the source, intended destination, supply chain, financial trail and possible interstate linkages associated with the seized drugs.
With the three operations, the ANTF has seized more than 81 grams of heroin in 72 hours, highlighting the continued movement of narcotics along routes leading into Meghalaya.
The task force said it would intensify intelligence-based operations against organised drug trafficking networks operating within and through the state and urged the public to share credible information on narcotics trafficking. Information leading to such action would be suitably rewarded, it said.
, in coordination with district police, has seized 81.42 grams of heroin worth an estimated ₹12 lakh in three intelligence-based operations conducted in West Jaintia Hills and Umiam over the past three days.){kind=link}