Security personnel in two separate incidents destroyed drugs worth Rs 156.84 crores in Assam and 90,000 ganja (cannabis) plants worth Rs 3.5 crore in Tripura on Thursday, officials said.
An Assam police spokesperson said that Sribhumi (formerly Karimganj) Police destroyed drugs worth Rs 156.84 crores in Sharif Nagar. The drugs were seized from various parts of the district over the past few months.
The drug destruction operation was attended by officials including Deputy Inspector General of South Range Kanakjyoti Saikia, Superintendent of Police Partha Pratim Das and the District Commissioner among others.
Both Saikia and Das praised the Sribhumi Police saying 196 drug peddlers were arrested and sent to jail in recent months. They hoped with continued legal action the district would be drug free.
The destroyed drugs, Heroin (14 kg), Yaba Tablets (15 lakh), cannabis (6.15 crore kg), Phensedyl Cough Syrup (2.83 lakh bottles), other intoxicating capsules and tablets (51,000).
SP Das who took charge in 2022 end has been leading the anti-drug drive in the district. Under his leadership, banned substances worth Rs 222 crores were destroyed in the district last year alone.
In Tripura, Assam Rifles along with state Police and forest officials destroyed 90,000 ganja (cannabis) plants covering 110 acres (44.5 hectares) worth Rs 3.5 crore in Kathalia area under Sepahijala district.
A defence spokesperson said that this massive destruction is a testament to the Assam Rifles’ resolve to fight the drug menace and save the region from its ill effects.
He said the success of the operation was made possible with the support of local administration and stressed the importance of joint approach to tackle drug related issues.
This is a step towards a drug free environment and saving the community for future, he said.
In another operation, Assam Rifles recovered foreign cigarettes worth Rs 26 lakhs in Mizoram’s Champhai district. The entire consignment of 20 cartons has been handed over to Customs Preventive Force, Champhai for further action.
