Silchar (Assam), 23 May (HS): Cachar district in southern Assam is increasingly emerging as a major transit corridor for drug trafficking networks operating through the interstate routes of Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, with links extending towards Myanmar and other eastern countries. In a fresh crackdown on narcotics smuggling, police under Lakhipur Police Station area, along with the Assam Rifles, busted an interstate drug transportation racket and seized a huge quantity of suspected yaba tablets and heroin.

Acting on specific source-based information regarding the movement of illegal NDPS substances, the joint team launched a special operation and intercepted two suspected drug carriers. During the search conducted in the presence of independent witnesses, the team recovered 10,000 suspected yaba tablets weighing around 1.072 kg, two soap cases containing suspected heroin weighing 21 grams, along with three mobile phones.

Officials said the seized substances tested positive for yaba and heroin during preliminary DD kit examination.

During interrogation, the apprehended persons reportedly disclosed that the narcotics were being transported through the Barak River route from Manipur into Assam. Based on their statements, the security team later recovered and seized a mechanised boat from the Barak River, which was allegedly being used for ferrying the drugs.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Jame L. Malsawm (27), and Kenyrozer Hmar (30), son of Lropui, both residents of Kangrengdor village in Pherzawl district of Manipur.

Police sources said the operation highlights the growing concern over the use of riverine and interstate routes in the Barak Valley for trafficking narcotics originating from the Myanmar border region. Further legal proceedings under the NDPS Act are underway.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash