Two suspected drug peddlers were arrested and 2.21 kgs of heroin, smuggled through the Indo-Myanmar border was seized at Mawryngkneng, in the outskirts of the city, officials said.
The arrest and seizure was made in an operation carried out by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) against organised drug syndicates operating in the North East region.
According to authorities DRI Shillong intercepted a vehicle in which the two suspects were travelling in at Mawryngkneng in the early hours yesterday.
“Rummaging of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 150 soap cases weighing 2.22 kgs of pinkish powder wrapped in polythene sachets from the possession of the suspects,” officials said.
DRI, Guwahati Zonal Unit said that the test conducted with the NDPS field test kit confirmed the presence of heroin in the substance recovered.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the consignment had come from Manipur and was meant for the Shillong based drug syndicates. The presence of makeshift secret cavities in the vehicle indicates its usage for trafficking of narcotics in the past as well,” officials said.
The value of the heroin seized in the international illicit market is estimated at Rs. 15.54 crore. Follow up searches and further investigation is in progress.
In 2022 DRI in the North Eastern Region has seized over 21,000 kgs of narcotics including methamphetamine, cannabis and heroin valued over Rs. 65 crores in the international illicit market.
