Anti-Narcotics Task Force Seized Heroin worth Rs 1 Crore in Meghalaya

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: In the biggest haul of the year for Meghalaya police, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of East Khasi Hills district arrested a woman with around 500 grams of heroin valued at Rs 1 crore from Madanrting locality of Shillong on Monday.

The woman has been identified as Kimneikhol Khongsai (49) who originally hails from Manipur. She has been booked under section 21 C of the NDPS Act. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP), Claudia Lyngwa informed reporters that in the last five months, around a kilogram of heroin has been seized in Shillong. Lyngwa also informed that as per data, there are 11,000 addicts who are intravenous drug users (IDUs), while stating that the number of people who inhale drugs, also known as “chasers”, is much higher.

According to the SP, ANTF is now concentrating on the supply side to control the menace of the ever-increasing drug use among the youth. She said that the increase in the number of drug addicts has seen a rise in the increase in petty crimes. Lyngwa has also urged the stakeholders in society to come forward and help the police in tackling the drug problem. She expressed concern that witnesses do not come forward which is a necessity to book a drug supplier. The police said that till date no house owners have ever been booked for renting their houses to tenants who are involved in the drug trade.

According to police, Section 25 of the NDPS Act, states, “Whoever, being the owner or occupier or having the control or use of any house, room, enclosure, space, place, animal or conveyance, knowingly permits it to be used for the commission by any other person of an offence punishable under any provision of this Act, shall be punishable with the punishment provided for that offence.” Lyngwa said that it was time the police invoke this section of the Act. According to the police, the drug menace has become worse in the Madanrting locality.

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