Shillong, Dec 3: Six specialised sniffer dogs have been procured by the state government under the Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM) to strengthen the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF).
The three Belgian Malinois and three Cocker Spaniels cost the state exchequer Rs 12.54 lakh and are expected to help in fight against drug crime.
The six dogs underwent training in Bangalore from April to November.
They were chosen specifically for their agility and scent-detection prowess and are being acclimatised to Meghalaya’s terrain and will soon support field operations, intelligence-led raids and area sweeps. Nine Meghalaya Police personnel trained alongside the dogs.
The Belgian Malinois will handle high-intensity operations, while the Cocker Spaniels excel in searching tight spaces. The unit is expected to significantly bolster the state’s fight against drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, the State government has approved a statewide drug use survey to be conducted by Sankardev College, Shillong in collaboration with MUF (Meghalaya Users Forum) and the MeduNet (Meghalaya Drug Users Network), under the guidance of DREAM Mission.
The pilot survey will begin from Shillong, which will be expanded to all districts of Meghalaya based on its success and learnings.
“The findings will enable the Government to formulate more accurate, targeted, and evidence-based interventions for prevention, de-addiction, rehabilitation, and community support,” DREAM said.
The last major survey on drug use in Meghalaya was conducted in 2019 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
