Ongoing investigation reveals operations spread across multiple states
Kohima, 13 December (MTNews): In a major breakthrough, the Nagaland Police have uncovered a sprawling drug trafficking network operating across Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, and potentially extending to other states in the country. The revelation came to light following an arrest made in Sechu Zubza under the Kohima District on November 13, where two traffickers from Manipur were apprehended with a significant quantity of heroin.
Addressing a press conference at the Police Headquarters in Kohima today, Director General of Police (DGP) Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, disclosed that the arrested individuals, upon interrogation, are suspected to have trafficked approximately 60 kilograms of heroin valued at around Rs 400 crore over the past year. Bank records of the persons who were initially arrested revealed a transaction of about Rs 6-7 crore.
The police have successfully apprehended a total of 12 individuals connected to this illicit network, hailing from Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam. Of the 12 arrested, four are residents of Nagaland.
Director General Sharma said that the investigation is still ongoing, and additional individuals involved in the network are expected to be identified and apprehended soon. The network is also suspected to have links with states such as West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
Since the beginning of the year, the Nagaland Police have registered a total of 318 cases related to Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) activities. A staggering 456 persons have been arrested in connection with these cases. Shockingly, the DGP revealed that 49 police personnel were implicated in drug-related activities, leading to the dismissal of eight individuals from their positions, while the rest are currently under departmental inquiries.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Director General Sharma noted that three state government servants were arrested in drug-related cases just last week and are currently in judicial custody.