Ten people arrested, heroin worth Rs 5 Cr in Meghalaya police biggest ever drug bust

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 4, 2019

SHILLONG: In yet another major haul, police of East Khasi Hills District seized heroin worth over Rs 5 crore and arrested as many as ten persons including two women from Shillong and Guwahati, Assam involved in the drug smuggling racket. 

Acting on tip off, the anti-narcotic task force (ANTF) led by SPDO (Sardar) Jagpal Singh arrested a person from Shillong and on his lead conducted raids in Guwahati, with the help of Assam police on September 2-3. 

The arrested drug peddlers include seven from Manipur, two from Shillong and one from Assam. They have been identified as Genesis Th (35) of Shipfiimai, Manipur, N Sashikant Singh (40) of Lamlong, Manipur, Temba Kh (36) of Lamlai, Manipur, M Kahiminlin Zou (42) of Churachandpur, Manipur, Gracy Harvernar (37) of Senapati, Manipur, Kimneichong Hoakip of Zalenbung, Manipur, Alberto Raplang (27) of Lower Mawprem, Joehanan Shullai (29), Lower Mawprem and Abhi Das (35) of Nolbari, Assam. 

District police chief Claudia Lyngwa told reporters on Wednesday that a group of drug suppliers was busted and a total of 1,195 grams of heroin, the street value of which is around Rs 4-5 crore, was seized from their possession during the operations.

“This is our biggest catch as from the beginning, we have made up our minds that we will hit on the supplier side,” she said. 

The SP said the police have been able to block the entry of drug coming from Manipur and due to scarcity in the supply, the smugglers are now trying to change transportation route. 

Singh informed that Alberto was arrested from viewpoint, Umiam after inputs received that he was trying to smuggle 40 soap boxes containing the contraband. However on checking, no drugs were found but his phone gave incriminating evidence, he said. 

On lead of Alberto the team went to Guwahati to catch Sashi , who was staying in the house of Abhi Das and on search 124 gms of heroin was recovered. 

“Then Sashi took the ANTF team to the hotel were the drug dealers who brought stuff to Guwahati were staying. Three arrested and vehicle seized. Moreover Sashi gave information about Gracy who was staying in a lodge. Her room raided and recovered 694 gms of heroin,” Singh said. 

On resuming of the operation on Tuesday, the SPDO said the team interrogated 5 different people who were in know of facts and finally able to recover 277 gms of heroin from Laitkor. 

Meanwhile, the police have so far seized a total 4,500 grams of heroin during the several anti-drug operations launched this year.