It might sound like something from Netflix drama Narcos but leader of the opposition and former Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma is concerned that the easy availability of drugs in every corner of Meghalaya points to the involvement of organised drug cartels in the state.
Speaking to reporters today, Dr Sangma said that Meghalaya is being confronted with a serious problem the likes of which have never been seen before here, namely substance abuse and the easy availability of drugs.
Cartels in other parts of the world influence the authorities in order to remain in business, Dr Sangma said. “It is happening elsewhere, so is a similar modus operandi being operated by our people also?”
What makes Meghalaya and the wider North East favourable to cartels, he added, is that the region shares long international borders, including with a big drug producer nation like Myanmar.
Dr Sangma said that an honest and independent police force would be required to bring the drug problem under control. When asked whether the issue has worsened under the current state government, he refrained from a direct attack, merely stating that data is freely available and that will make clear whether the situation is improving or not.
