Drug traffickers now using different modus operandi: Guwahati Police Commissioner

Six drug peddlers arrested

OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI/PALASBARI,: The recent crackdown on drug trafficking by the Assam Police has revealed flow of drugs into Assam from neighbouring States like Manipur. Intelligence input also hints at close links of the drug mafia with drug cartels operating in foreign countries. Guwahati Police on Saturday night seized a huge consignment of drugs which was smuggled into Assam from Manipur.

Based on an intelligence input, Guwahati Police Special Squad, led by Joint Commissioner of Police, Partha Sarathi Mahanta, apprehended a Bolero vehicle (MN-07D-3257 ) and recovered a huge consignment of 100 soap cases containing heroin. The net weight of consignment is around 1.324 kg. Four drug peddlers were also arrested.

Addressing media persons at Azara police station on Sunday, Guwahati Police Commissioner Harmeet Singh said, "Based on input, this consignment was tracked by the Special Squad right from Moreh to Churachandpur (Manipur) and then till Sonapur where it was caught. The packets were ingeniously hidden under the front dashboard and inside the rear tail lights. The vehicle insides had to be opened up by specialist mechanics to get to the drugs."

He further said, "Four persons were arrested in this regard, among whom two were mechanics, travelling with the vehicle to open it up before delivery." The arrested persons are Khaiminlal Touthang (34), son of Ngamsei Touthang, resident of Monnaphai, Churachandpur, Manipur; Seiminthang Mate (37), son of Thongkhojan Mate, resident of village Molnom, Churachandpur, Manipur; Paominthang Lhanghal (30), son of Paolet Lhanghal, resident of M. Jamkim, Churachandpur, Manipur; and Kailalson Khongsai (35), son of Thangsai Khongsai, resident of Moraphai, Churachandpur, Manipur.

Guwahati Police Commissioner Harmeet Singh further said that linkages were unearthed by questioning these four drug traffickers and this lead to arrest of two more traffickers in Guwahati. They are Lulun Kuki (51), son of Seiboi Kuki, resident of Tuibong, Churachandpur, Manipur; and Kamkhojim (56), son of T. Misao, resident of Phaipijang, Dimapur, Nagaland.

Singh said that recent arrests in drug trafficking cases have revealed that drug traffickers are now using a different modus operandi for smuggling drug consignments. Earlier, large vehicles like trucks and buses were used to transport drug consigments but now small vehicles are being used for this purpose. Also, it has been observed from recent arrests that women are getting involved in the transportation of drugs, he added.

Meanwhile, the net worth of the seized drugs consignment in the international market is around Rs 9 crore. Investigation is on to unearth further linkages.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had launched an all-out battle against drugs after taking over the reins of the State. He had ordered the Assam Police to crack the whip on the illegal drugs trade. Since then, Assam Police have been carrying on operation against drug traffickers across the State.

Harmeet Singh said that in the last one month, Guwahati Police have registered 33 cases related to drugs in various police stations under the Guwahati Police Commissionerate. A total of 121 people have been arrested while over 3 kg heroin, around 2.5 kg ganja, 8,500 Yaba tablets and 14,500 bottles of cough syrup have been seized. He further added that 20 vehicles and Rs 18.50 lakh cash have also been seized.

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