Daijiworld Media Network - Guwahati
Guwahati, Jul 28: Assam Police seized 31,800 bottles of suspected contraband cough syrup valued at around Rs 3.18 crore in two separate anti-narcotics operations in Sribhumi district, leading to the arrest of two alleged drug traffickers, officials said on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the successful operations and said the sustained crackdown on drug trafficking across the state was yielding positive results and disrupting organised criminal networks.
Taking to X, Sarma praised the efforts of Sribhumi Police for carrying out the anti-drug operations.
"Vigilance across Assam is yielding results. Kudos to @sribhumipolice for two successful anti-drug operations resulting in the seizure of 31,800 bottles of suspected contraband worth Rs 3.18 crore and apprehending two accused. Every such interception disrupts a larger criminal network," he said.
According to police, the operations were carried out based on specific intelligence inputs as part of the state's intensified drive against narcotics smuggling. Officers intercepted vehicles suspected to be carrying the contraband and recovered 31,800 bottles of banned cough syrup allegedly concealed for illegal transportation.
Two persons allegedly linked to the smuggling network were arrested during the operations. Their identities have not been disclosed so far.
Police estimated the market value of the seized consignment at around Rs 3.18 crore and suspected that it was being transported for distribution through an inter-state trafficking network.
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigation is underway to trace the source and intended destination of the consignment.
Officials said efforts are also on to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate involved in the illegal trade.
Assam Police have intensified anti-drug operations in recent years under the state government's "war on drugs" campaign, resulting in several seizures of narcotics, psychotropic substances and other contraband, along with the arrest of hundreds of alleged traffickers.
Police officials said the crackdown would continue through sustained surveillance and intelligence-based operations aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks operating in and through the state.