The war on drugs in Meghalaya witnessed a major breakthrough on Sunday when the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and East Jaintia Hills Police cracked two back-to-back cases, arresting four drug suppliers and seizing heroin worth over Rs4.4 crore.
In the first operation, a naka was laid at Byndihati village under Khliehriat PS, where police intercepted a passenger bus and arrested Isak L. Joute (26) of Madanriting, Shillong. A search of his possession led to the recovery of 91.86 grams of heroin, packed in nine soap boxes, valued at around Rs40 lakh.
Later the same day, in a second operation at Umkiang Patrol Post under Lumshnong PS, the joint team apprehended three women: Kimnei (33), Dimkhothing (47), and Ngaiting (40), all residents of Khongjom, Tengnoupal, Manipur. A search of their vehicle revealed 961.33 grams of heroin packed in 80 soap boxes and concealed in four travel bags, with an estimated value of nearly Rs4 crore.
Police stated that the accused are suspected members of an inter-state drug syndicate, ferrying narcotics from Manipur to Shillong and onward to other parts of India.
Both cases have been registered under the NDPS Act, and investigations are ongoing to trace the wider network.
