Nagaland making progress in War Against Drugs: DGP Rupin Sharma

March 17, 2024 12 Views No Comment

‘Days of only catching drug transporters long gone’

Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 17

Nagaland has reportedly made good progress in the War Against Drugs. “We have had a great degree of success in narcotic cases throughout the state,” claimed the Nagaland DGP, Rupin Sharma at a press conference in Chümoukedima on March 16. He was flanked by the IGP (CID), Vikram Khalate and Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, Kevithuto Sophie.

The state police chief backed up the claim with a compilation of figures about drug catches and arrests affected over the past three and a half months. As per the data, which was released by the IGP (CID), the state police registered 48 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, from December 1, 2023, till March 10, 2024.

A total of 122 persons were arrested in connection with the cases. It reportedly included an unnamed constable of the NAP (IR), who was said to be facing departmental proceedings for an alleged drug trafficking charge.

Dimapur, Kohima and Longleng led the figures with 9 cases each, followed by Wokha and Mon with 4 cases each. The drugs caught included heroin, ganja and methamphetamine — sold under various names like Yaba and crystal meth — and pharmaceutical drugs. The total ganja and heroin catch combined to a total of 475 kg and 3.7 kg, respectively.

According to the DGP, the days of only catching the transporters and ignoring the big fishes are long past. “We are not just interested in the trafficker or peddler, who gets caught. We are looking to smash entire networks,” he said, while adding that the investigations have focused on tracing the drug trail from source to the sellers and buyers on the streets.

While stating that the police have had reasonable success in this aspect, he revealed how they have been able to catch people involved in drug trafficking from not only within the state and the northeast region, but also from states like West Bengal, UP, Bihar and as far away as Rajasthan, over the past three months.

Delving further into the anti-drug operations of the state police, he revealed one case in particular which traced an international trail— The consignment originating in China, heading to the Netherlands and heading back to Asia, reportedly via sea, to land in Manipur, from where it was smuggled into Nagaland and other places.

The police also found evidence of the arrested traffickers using crypto currency, which the DGP termed as “very concerning.”
He further said that the police have found “good leads” proving formerly held presumptions about cross-border drugs entering Nagaland and Manipur from Myanmar.

SIM cards & stolen IDs
The DGP cautioned against drug traffickers obtaining SIM cards using stolen identities or personal documents. He cited two cases, cracked by the police, in which the traffickers were found to have used SIM cards obtained using fake identities.

He advised SIM card vendors and service providers to take precaution in this regard, while informing one person was arrested for selling SIM to an arrested trafficker. “People, who are selling SIM cards be careful… We will not hesitate in arresting more people like this,” he said.

He informed that there is a government of India portal—tafcop.dgtelecom.gov.in (Sanchar Sathi), “Where you can check how many SIM cards have been issued in your name.” Report to the nearest police station, if the portal shows that that more SIM cards have been issued than one actually holds.

Keep seniors in loop
The DGP insisted on investigation officers or any police personnel keeping their senior officers in the loop as far as maintaining “sources or informers” were concerned. “If you are not keeping your seniors informed and your names figure in any (drug) investigation, we will presume that you are involved,” he said.

He did not go into details but hinted at “stray elements” from the Naga Political Groups involving in drug trafficking. He though acknowledged the NSCN (IM) and NNPGs declaration against shielding their members involved in drugs, including trafficking.

The DGP had earlier unveiled a ‘Police Memorial’ (sculpture) commemorating the sacrifices of the Nagaland Police at the NAPTC, Nagaland Police Complex, Chümoukedima.