Meghalaya: 162.52g Heroin Seized in Shillong, Three Held in ANTF Raid

CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: In a major breakthrough, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has busted a drug trafficking network operating out of a hardware store in Shillong’s Cantonment area. The operation led to the seizure of 162.52 grams of heroin and the detention of three individuals, while one suspect remains absconding.

According to an official statement from the ANTF, on June 24, at around 5:00 pm, the Officer-in-Charge of the Cantonment Beat House received a tip-off regarding a suspected drug peddler. Based on this information, the ANTF detained one Rohit Mattu in the Cantonment area. He was found in possession of a red-coloured small cartoon box. A body search conducted by Sub-Inspector Pradeep Das and other ANTF personnel in the presence of independent witnesses led to the recovery of one soap case box containing 10.26 grams of heroin.

Further interrogation revealed that Rohit Mattu was working under Ansh Sher Gill, also known as Suraj Gill, who operates a hardware store near the Jowai Stand in the Cantonment area. Gill is believed to be the main supplier of heroin in the Cantonment area and its surroundings and has a history of involvement in illegal activities.

Based on Mattu’s confession, ANTF personnel detained Ansh Sher Gill. During preliminary questioning, Gill admitted to running the hardware store as a cover for his drug distribution network. He also identified his street-level distributors—Rohit Mattu, Raman Raina, and Rohit Honda.

Following this revelation, Raman Raina was also taken into custody. During interrogation, Raina confessed that Suraj Gill had rented a house in the Raid Laban area under the names of Raina and Honda. He disclosed that heroin was being stored in a cupboard in one of the rooms of the rented house.

A subsequent raid on the Raid Laban residence led to the recovery of 15 soap cases containing a total of 152.26 grams of heroin. The search was conducted in the presence of independent witnesses, ensuring transparency in the operation.

In total, the ANTF has seized 162.52 grams of heroin from the network. While three of the accused—Rohit Mattu, Suraj Gill, and Raman Raina—are currently in custody, the fourth accused, Rohit Honda, remains on the run. A manhunt is underway to apprehend him.

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