The Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Meghalaya, seized drugs worth over Rs 55 lakh during a raid in Lower Rynjah, Shillong, on Monday. Police suspect the haul is linked to a larger interstate drug trafficking network. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the ANTF team searched the residence of alleged drug supplier Rahul Chhetri under provisions of the NDPS Act. During the operation, officials recovered 2,060 Nitrazepam tablets, estimated to be worth Rs 8.24 lakh in the illegal market.
In addition, 23 plastic soap boxes containing suspected heroin weighing a total of 237 grams were seized. The heroin is valued at approximately Rs 47.4 lakh in the illegal market. A cash amount of Rs 27,300 was also confiscated from the premises. However, the main accused, Rahul Chhetri, managed to flee the scene in a purple Maruti Ertiga (ML-10B-5347) as the police team arrived. He remains at large, and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend him.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the case. Investigators believe the accused may be part of a well-organised interstate syndicate, and efforts are underway to establish both forward and backward linkages of the suspected network. Superintendent of Police, ANTF, Vikash Kumar, appealed to the public to share any information regarding the absconding accused or drug-related activities. He assured that the identity of informants would be kept confidential and that suitable rewards would be provided.