Three alleged drug peddlers were arrested and suspected heroin was seized during a police operation at the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border, officials said on Thursday. The arrests were made during a naka checking operation conducted by Banderdewa Police at the Banderdewa Check Gate on June 3 following specific intelligence inputs about the movement of narcotic substances from Assam into Arunachal Pradesh. According to police, a team led by Inspector Kipa Hamak, Officer-in-Charge of Banderdewa Police Station, launched the operation after receiving information about suspected drug trafficking activity along the interstate route. The team included Sub-Inspectors B. Pegu and T. Hinda, Lady Constable Rita Devi and personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Acting on the intelligence, police set up a check point and intercepted a Maruti Alto K10 bearing registration number AR-01V-3694. The vehicle was subjected to a detailed search in the presence of the police team.During the search, officers recovered 30 vials containing suspected heroin. The seized substance weighed approximately 38.70 grams, including the weight of the containers, police said.The three occupants of the vehicle were immediately detained and later arrested in connection with the case. The accused have been identified as Khyoda Mama, a resident of Jully-Jollang in Itanagar, Khoda Tadi of F&G Sector in Itanagar, and Guriya Rai of Chimpu in Papum Pare district. Following the seizure, Banderdewa Police registered a case under Sections 21(b) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The accused are being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police said efforts are underway to determine the source of the suspected heroin and identify other individuals who may be linked to the supply and distribution network. Investigators are also examining whether the seized consignment was intended for local distribution or for further transportation within the state. The operation was carried out under the overall supervision of Dr. Nyelam Nega, Superintendent of Police, Naharlagun, as part of the continuing campaign against drug trafficking in the Itanagar Capital Region.
