Shillong, June 16: Meghalaya’s Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) arrested three alleged drug traffickers and seized 53 grams of suspected heroin during a naka operation in West Garo Hills district, officials said on Tuesday.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, ANTF personnel intercepted the suspects at Tikrikilla on June 15 and recovered five plastic soap cases containing the suspected contraband. Two motorcycles and three mobile phones were also seized during the operation.
The arrested persons have been identified as Sahidul Hussain (35), Saddam Hussain (35), and Rashidul Hoque (23), all residents of Assam’s Goalpara district.
A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Tikrikilla Police Station.
Investigators suspect the trio to be part of a larger inter-state drug trafficking network operating across the region.
Police said efforts are underway to trace both the forward and backward linkages of the racket and identify other individuals involved in the syndicate.
The ANTF has also appealed to the public to share information related to drug trafficking activities, assuring confidentiality and rewards for credible inputs.
Congratulating the ANTF for the breakthrough, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma termed it “yet another successful operation in the fight against the drug menace”.
In a post on X, Sangma said the operation at Tikrikilla led to the seizure of narcotic substances worth approximately Rs 9 lakh.
“The arrest of 3 notorious drug traffickers and seizure of narcotic substances worth approximately Rs 9 Lakhs at Tikrikilla, West Garo Hills District sends a strong and clear message, illegal drug activities will not be tolerated,” the Chief Minister posted.
The ANTF has intensified operations across the state as part of the government’s drive against drug trafficking.
Officials said further investigation is underway to trace the source and network linked to the seized consignment.
Sangma has repeatedly stated that curbing narcotics trade remains a top priority for the state government, with coordinated action by police and central agencies.
