Shillong, October 31: The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Meghalaya, in a joint operation with West Garo Hills Police, arrested two suspected drug traffickers and seized suspected heroin worth approximately Rs 60 lakh from Tikrikilla in West Garo Hills district on Saturday.
According to a press release issued by Superintendent of Police, ANTF Meghalaya, Vikash Kumar, IPS, the operation was carried out on October 31 following credible intelligence inputs regarding suspected drug trafficking activities in the area. During a joint naka checking operation, police apprehended two persons and recovered 10 plastic soap boxes containing suspected heroin weighing a total of 112.52 grams, with an estimated illicit market value of approximately Rs 60 lakh. Police also seized two cars and three mobile phones during the operation.
The arrested persons have been identified as Shahadot Ali (31), son of Rustom Ali, a resident of Rakhyasini Jungle Block under Mornoi Police Station in Goalpara district, Assam, and Rejaul Islam (31), son of Joynal Abidin, a resident of Helapokri, Baladmari, also under Mornoi Police Station in Goalpara district, Assam.
According to police, the two arrested persons are suspected to be part of a larger organised interstate drug trafficking syndicate operating across state boundaries. A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Tikrikilla Police Station in West Garo Hills district. The ANTF has initiated further investigations to establish the forward and backward linkages of the suspected drug trafficking network and identify other individuals who may be involved in the illegal trade.
Meanwhile, the ANTF has appealed to members of the public to share any relevant information regarding the arrested persons, their suspected accomplices or others involved in drug trafficking activities to assist the ongoing investigation.
