Shillong, June 16: Eight drug traffickers including three ladies were arrested after 67,000 tablets suspected to be psychotropic drugs worth over Rs 1 crore were seized from two vehicles at a village in West Jaiñtia Hills district.
Acting on intelligence inputs that a group of drug traffickers were travelling from Guwahati towards Silchar and near West Jaiñtia Hills district, the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) immediately swung into action and set up a check point at ïalong village along the NH-44.
Two Scorpios having registration number plates MN 01 – AK 6984 (white colour) and MN 01 – X 8542 (black colour) were detained by the team led by DSP, Macjoel Marngar and SI, Arki Wahlang.
West Jaiñtia Hills district police chief, Vivek Syiem said during search, a total of 67 identical tightly plastic wrapped colored packets containing 67,000 tablets suspected to be psychotropic drugs marked with the letter ‘WY’ on the body of the tablet, were recovered and seized from the detained vehicles.
Besides, 11 mobile phones, 6 SIM cards and Cash amounting to Rs 2,96,065 was also seized by the police.
Of the eight drug traffickers, three females were identified as Ngehnu Zou (18), Niangnu Zou (39) and a juvenile of 16 years old, police said.
The others who were detained include, M Sianzathang Zou (35), Chinsunlam Zou (27), Mangminthang Zou (29), Pawhawi Zou (31) and Thangboi Zou (27).
After preliminary inquiry, the SP said that it was ascertained that the suspected narcotic had been smuggled from Myanmar via Moreh to be sold to vendors in other states.
“The psychotropic drug is suspected to be Meta Amphetamine estimated to cost Rs 1.34 crore in the open market,†he said.
Syiem further stated that it appears there is an elaborate nexus for the supply of narcotics from Myanmar into the north east for which several youth from the region are affected.
He said it was also found that several drug users from the district procure drugs from Cachar for which this consignment was headed.
Meanwhile, a Case has been registered vide Jowai PS C/No. 149(6)18 u/s 120B r/w 8A( c) /22(c) to ascertain the other players in this supply chain of narcotics.