BANDERDEWA, Jul 16: Police in Banderdewa on Sunday seized a substantial amount of heroin and critically endangered species and arrested four individuals involved in drug and wildlife trafficking.
Acting on reliable information, a police team supervised by Naharlagun SP Mihin Gambo was dispatched to Sonajuli village under Banderdewa police station.
The team included Banderdewa police station officer-in-charge inspector Kipa Hamak, sub-inspector Koj Tada, head constable D C Namsa and constables T Bomdam, R Tsering and U Gogoi.
The operation began early at 2.30 am on July 14 and by 5 am, the team located the suspect’s house, who was later identified as Mrinal Chakma (38).
A search conducted in the presence of a gazetted officer and independent witnesses led to the recovery of 10 soap cases containing orangish-coloured powder suspected to be heroin, weighing approximately 115.36 grams. Additionally, three critically endangered lizards (Gecko) were found in the hut.
During the examination, Mrinal revealed that the drugs and lizards belonged to Sobha Ranjan Chakma (36) and Budha Joy Chakma (34) and both individuals had been staying at his house since July 12.
The accused corroborated Chakma's statement, accepting ownership of the seized items.
The police, accordingly, arrested the trio and one Likha Lilly who are residents of different locations within Arunachal and Tripura.
A case Under Section 21(b) of the NDPS Act and Section 51(1) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has been registered at the Banderdewa police station.
The Gecko lizards have, meanwhile, been handed over to forest officials at the Biological Park in Itanagar as per court direction.