SHILLONG: In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, police forces have detained three individuals in the Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya who were running a lucrative drug peddling racket.
The total amount of heroin recovered from them is 254.16 grams. The estimated market value of the seized contraband is around Rs 1 crore.
The incident occurred at the 15th Mile locality of Byrnihat, where the arrested accused have been identified as Ekramul Hussain, Monjuwara Begum, and Nihar Begum. They are all natives of Assam. Authorities believe that the three were involved in an interstate narcotics smuggling syndicate, importing the drugs from other states and having amassed substantial profits from the smuggling business.
The police seized, in addition to heroin, Rs 58,380 cash and four mobile phones from the accused as well, thus substantiating further the involvement of the accused persons with organized criminal operations.
The case has been registered at Nongpoh police station under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to go into details of the matter for a comprehensive investigation.
The SIT will look to find out the linkages of the three with other drug dealers and their financial dealings and sources by which they have acquired the property through ill-gotten means. The police also plan to forfeit such properties, they said.
“This is a timely arrest. This shows drug peddling is still a challenge in that region and it calls for sustained vigil and concerted efforts to crush this menace,” law enforcement said.
