Shillong: In a major anti-narcotics operation, Meghalaya police seized heroin valued at over Rs. 4.4 crore and arrested three women from Manipur in East Jaintia Hills district, officials said on Monday.
Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and district police intercepted a vehicle at the Umkiang patrolling post on Sunday.
During the search, officers recovered three travel bags containing 961.33 grams of heroin packed in 80 soap cases, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said.
The arrested women, all residents of Khongjom in Manipur, were travelling from Churachandpur to Shillong when their car was stopped.
They have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Lumshnong police station, Kumar added.
In a separate operation the same day, police intercepted a passenger bus at Byndihati village under Khliehriat police station limits and apprehended a man from Shillong.
A total of 91.86 grams of heroin, packed in nine soap boxes and worth approximately Rs. 40 lakh, was recovered from his possession.
The bus had also originated from Manipur.
Authorities suspect the involvement of an inter-state drug network and said investigations are underway to identify the syndicate’s linkages.
The SP urged the public to share credible information on narcotics trafficking, assuring anonymity and appropriate rewards for useful leads.