Meghalaya: Two from Manipur arrested with heroin worth Rs 2.5 Crore

A team of Meghalaya Police arrested two individuals from Manipur and seized heroin valued at Rs 2.5 crore in West Jaintia Hills district, officials reported on Monday.

Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh highlighted the bust as evidence of a deeper issue with implications for national security, extending beyond state boundaries.

Based on credible intelligence, a joint team comprising West Jaintia Hills Police and the state’s Anti-Narcotic Task Force intercepted a vehicle near Phramer Mer police traffic cell.

The vehicle, traveling from Khliehriat toward Jowai, was thoroughly searched, revealing 50 soap boxes containing 512.63 grams of heroin, according to District Superintendent of Police Giri Prasad.

The two suspects, identified as Chuchung Serto from Kangpokpi district and Thanggin Towthang from Churachandpur district in Manipur, were taken into custody. In addition to the narcotics, authorities recovered Rs 6,775 in Indian currency, foreign currency notes—including 3,000 South Korean Won, 500 Kazakhstani Tenge, and 10 Myanmar Kyat—and two mobile phones.

The seized heroin is estimated to be worth Rs 2.5 crore on the international market. A case has been filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the drug supply chain and potential cross-border connections.

Police have urged citizens to stay alert and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies to aid in curbing drug trafficking.

In a post on X, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh expressed alarm over the findings, stating, “The significant drug seizure in Meghalaya uncovers critical concerns that transcend regional boundaries and pose a threat to national security. The arrest of two Manipur residents, Chuchung Serto from Kangpokpi and Thanggin Towthang from Churachandpur, with 512 grams of heroin valued at Rs 2.5 crore, is deeply troubling. The discovery of foreign currencies, including South Korean Won, Kazakhstani Tenge, and Myanmar Kyat, raises suspicions of international drug networks.”

He further added, “This issue, which I have long highlighted, now demands urgent attention. The presence of foreign currency and the scale of this trafficking operation suggest a broader network that requires thorough investigation. This is not just a Northeast issue but a national challenge that endangers our youth’s safety and future. We must act decisively and ensure justice is served.”