Shillong, Aug 17: The state Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and East Jaintia Hills police made two significant hauls of illegal drugs that amounted to Rs 4.4 crore.
One of these alone resulted in a seizure of Rs 4 crore worth of heroin from three women travelling from Manipur to Shillong.
At a checkpoint at Umkiang patrol post, under Lumshnong Police Station, three women were apprehended after they were found to be transporting nearly 1 kilogramme of heroin stored in 80 soap boxes. The exact weight was 961.33g and the drugs were concealed in four travel bags.
The three women were identified by police as Kimnei (33), Dimkhothing (47) and Ngaiting (40), all residents of Khongjom, Tengnoupal, Manipur.
Police suspect that the three accused are part of an inter-state drug syndicate ferrying narcotics from Manipur to Shillong and then onwards to other parts of India.
Earlier on the same day, in Byndihati, under Khliehriat Police Station, police intercepted a passenger bus at a checkpoint following the receipt of intelligence and arrested one Isak L Joute (26) of Madanrting, Shillong. The Assam-registered bus (AS-01-JC-4999) won on its way to Shillong from Silchar.
He was found with 91.86g of heroin packed into nine soap boxes. Police estimated the value of the drugs at Rs 40 lakh.
Both cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and further investigations are ongoing.
