Shillong: Meghalaya Police have cracked an international motorcycle theft racket that operated between Shillong and Bangladesh, arresting 17 individuals, including 10 Bangladeshi nationals.
Officials confirmed on Saturday that the gang was involved in stealing two-wheelers from different parts of Shillong and smuggling them across the border for resale.
The breakthrough came in the early hours of September 4 during routine vehicle checks at Mawmang in East Khasi Hills district.
Police personnel flagged down a scooter approaching from Shillong, but the vehicle abruptly turned back on spotting the checkpoint.
Officers quickly pursued and intercepted it, apprehending the pillion rider, identified as 24-year-old Nehlang Lamare of Barato in West Jaintia Hills.
The rider initially escaped but was later caught and identified as 18-year-old Klement Timung from Jowai.
Upon questioning, the duo admitted that the scooter had been stolen from Shillong’s Lapalang area.
Their confession led to the registration of a case at Rynjah police station and launched a wider probe.
As investigations deepened, the district police’s Special Cell picked up three more suspects—Peter Pohrmen (18), Vicky Dkhar (20), and Romeo Ryngksai (24)—all from Dawki in West Jaintia Hills.
According to police, the trio acted as middlemen, coordinating the handover of stolen bikes to Bangladeshi buyers across the border.
Following their leads, four more individuals were arrested: Deimionjongmi Paslein (25) from East Jaintia Hills, brothers Barister (20) and Lastborn Lamare (21) from Barato in West Jaintia Hills, and a 15-year-old boy.
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In subsequent raids, police apprehended 10 Bangladeshi nationals, including a 17-year-old minor, who were allegedly the end-recipients of the stolen two-wheelers.
They hail from Sylhet and Habiganj districts of Bangladesh, officials said.
Investigators believe the arrests have uncovered a well-organized cross-border syndicate that systematically transported stolen vehicles into Bangladesh for resale.
Authorities added that further operations are underway to trace others connected to the racket, as the probe points to a larger network with cross-border links.
