Shillong, March 6: In a major anti-narcotics operation, a team of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) officers conducted a coordinated naka checking operation at Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills district on March 6, leading to the seizure of a huge quantity of suspected narcotics valued at over ₹51 crore in the illegal market.
According to a press release issued by the Asstt. Inspector General of Police (A), Meghalaya, the ANTF team intercepted a Tata Sumo vehicle bearing registration number MZ-01-M-8625 during the operation. The vehicle was carrying two passengers along with the driver and was subjected to a search following due legal procedure.
During the checking, officers recovered 19 plastic soap cases containing suspected heroin weighing 203.7 grams from the possession of one of the female passengers. Further search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a blue-coloured trolley bag belonging to another passenger, which was found to contain suspected crystal meth (methamphetamine) weighing 10.145 kilograms.
Preliminary analysis indicates that the individuals involved are believed to be part of a larger inter-state and cross-border drug trafficking syndicate.
Police said the total value of the seized contraband is estimated to be approximately ₹51,13,24,000 in the illegal market, making it the highest-value recovery of NDPS substances by Meghalaya Police so far.
A case has been registered at the ANTF Police Station and investigations are underway to establish forward and backward linkages related to the case.
Authorities have stated that further investigation is being carried out to identify other members of the drug trafficking network connected to the seizure.
