ITANAGAR: In a breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking, the Itanagar police on Monday apprehended a suspected drug supplier from the civil secretariat premises, leading to the seizure of 44.36 grams of heroin.
The suspect was caught within a high-security government building, raising serious concerns about the reach of drug networks.
Superintendent of Police Rohit Rajbir Singh, speaking on Tuesday, revealed that the accused is currently employed as a multi-tasking staffer (MTS) in the state horticulture department. The market value of the heroin seized is estimated to be around Rs 3.7 lakh.
The incident came to light when a vigilant staff member from the secretariat alerted the police that a suspected drug peddler had been confined inside a bathroom on the third floor of Block 3 by on-duty security personnel. According to SP Singh, the suspect had allegedly been attempting to sell narcotics within the civil secretariat—a restricted and highly sensitive government zone.
A police team led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Kengo Dirchi swiftly responded to the call and apprehended the suspect. He was identified as a 32-year-old Vicky Chetry, a resident of Zero Point near the Gompa area in Itanagar. Originally, he hails from Borgolai Milan Nagar under the jurisdiction of the Margherita police station in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
A personal search of the suspect was conducted in the presence of First-Class Magistrate Oli Koyu (NDPS). The search led to the recovery of eight plastic vials and a tobacco container filled with heroin, four used syringes, and ₹32,760 in cash. During further interrogation, Chetry revealed that more contraband had been hidden behind the bathroom window. This led to the recovery of 18 additional plastic vials of suspected heroin and three scissors.
SP Singh confirmed that all procedures related to the search, seizure, weighing, packing, and sealing of the narcotics were conducted by the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. A case has been registered against the accused, and an investigation is currently underway to trace the source and network of the drug supply.
The SP emphasized that the swift and coordinated action of the police highlights the department’s firm resolve to dismantle drug trafficking operations, even within the most secure government environments. He also commended the civil secretariat staff for their alertness and timely intervention, which played a critical role in preventing the possible spread of narcotics within the government premises.
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