Huge drug haul in Shillong

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, June 28: In one of the biggest haul of drugs in recent memories, Custom sleuths today seized Rs 3 crore worth of heroin and amphetamine tablets in the city.

According to custom officials, acting on specific inputs of the presence of drug dealers in a hotel in Khyndailad (Police Bazar), they raided it and apprehended three hardcore smugglers including a woman at around 2 pm. Besides a pistol with two live ammunitions were seized from their possession.

Officials of the Customs department said that the seized heroine were of high quality. The seized heroin weighing 1 kg and over 20,000 amphetamine tablets were packed in 100 blue sachets. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Custom Preventive, North East Region, Isaac Kharkongor informed media persons that the heroin was worth around Rs 1 crore while the tablets were worth Rs 2 crore. Kharkongor also said that each amphetamine tablets was worth cost Rs 1,000.

According to him, the seized drugs were meant for retailers in the state who would subsequently sell them to customers (addicts).

Kharkongor informed that the source of the consignment was brought from neighbouring Myanmar via Manipur.

“As per prelimiry investigation, it appears that the consignment is meant for retail dealers in Meghalaya,” he said while stating the department is making all out effort to plug the pipeline of drug trafficking in the NE region.

However, officials have not disclosed the mes of the accused since investigation is on. The arrested persons have been booked under NDPS Act and Arms Act.