Khliehriat, August 18 : In a major breakthrough against interstate drug trafficking, a joint team of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Meghalaya, and the East Jaintia Hills Police arrested a notorious supplier and seized 91.86 grams of heroin, valued at nearly ₹40 lakh in the illegal market.
Acting on credible intelligence, the team set up a naka at Byndihati village, under Khliehriat Police Station. At around 2:15 PM on August 17, officials intercepted a passenger bus (Reg. No. AS-01-JC-4999) traveling from Silchar to Shillong. During the search, they apprehended Isak L. Joute (26), son of Vanlalrout Joute, a resident of Madanriting, Shillong.
In the presence of independent witnesses, a search of Joute’s belongings revealed nine soap boxes filled with heroin, weighing 91.86 grams. Tests confirmed the seized substance to be heroin. The contraband was seized under provisions of the NDPS Act, and a case has been registered at Khliehriat Police Station.
Police confirmed that Joute is a notorious interstate supplier, suspected of ferrying narcotics from Churachandpur, Manipur, to Shillong. Investigators are now probing backward and forward linkages to uncover the larger trafficking network.
Authorities have appealed to the public to share information about others involved in such illegal activities. Informants’ identities will be kept confidential, and suitable rewards will be provided.
Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills, Vikash Kumar, IPS, lauded the team for their swift action, reaffirming the district’s commitment to cracking down on the drug menace.
