A man from Assam was arrested in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills after police recovered over 373 kilograms of cannabis from his vehicle. The seizure took place on Tuesday during a routine check along National Highway-6, a known smuggling corridor in the Northeast.
Police officials confirmed that the accused, who hails from the Karimganj district of Assam, was driving a Mahindra pickup truck when the illegal consignment was discovered. The vehicle was heading towards Assam from the Tripura border.
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Major bust in anti-narcotics drive
The interception occurred at around 2 am near the Khliehriat area. Acting on a tip-off, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and local police jointly set up a checkpoint along the highway. When the pickup truck approached the spot, the driver reportedly tried to evade the team. However, he was swiftly stopped.
Upon inspection, police found 37 large plastic packets filled with cannabis hidden under tarpaulin sheets and sacks of vegetables. The total weight of the narcotics was found to be 373.52 kg. This marks one of the biggest cannabis seizures in the region in recent weeks.
Identity of the accused revealed
The arrested individual has been identified as 28-year-old Harun Ali from Kaliganj area of Karimganj district. During initial interrogation, he claimed that he was unaware of the contents in his truck. However, officials believe he was part of a larger smuggling racket.
A case has been registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The accused has been taken into custody and will be produced in court soon.
Smuggling network under scanner
Police suspect that the seized cannabis originated from Tripura, a state often used as a transit point for narcotics grown in the bordering areas. From there, the consignment was being transported through Meghalaya en route to Assam.
East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Giri Prasad said that drug smugglers have been using interior roads and highways in the district due to its strategic location. He also added that several surveillance operations are being intensified in known trafficking zones.
Moreover, intelligence inputs suggest that the route is frequently used to transport narcotics to larger markets in West Bengal and Bihar. Authorities believe that the recent seizure could lead to the unmasking of a wider network involved in the trade.
Growing drug concerns in Northeast
Over the past two years, the Northeast has emerged as a growing hotspot for drug trafficking. Due to its proximity to international borders and porous terrain, states like Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram have seen a surge in drug movement.
Cannabis grown illegally in remote areas, especially in the hilly regions of Tripura, is often packed and transported in bulk across state borders. Despite strict law enforcement, traffickers continue to exploit gaps in the surveillance systems.
Local NGOs and social workers have raised concerns about the rising involvement of youths in the illegal trade. Many are lured into trafficking due to unemployment and poor economic conditions.
Authorities ramp up operations
In response to the growing threat, Meghalaya Police have intensified highway patrolling, installed surveillance cameras at border points, and increased coordination with Assam and Tripura police departments.
SP Giri Prasad stated that special focus is being given to National Highway-6, which runs through East Jaintia Hills and connects various northeastern states. This highway has often been identified as a key smuggling route.
The SP also urged citizens to report suspicious activities and vehicle movements to the nearest police station. Community participation, he said, plays a crucial role in curbing the spread of narcotics.
Repeat incidents raise alarm
This is not the first time such a major cannabis bust has occurred in the district. Just last month, East Jaintia police had recovered over 150 kg of cannabis from a similar highway checkpoint. In that case too, the driver was from Assam and heading toward Guwahati.
Such repeated seizures indicate a well-organized chain of transportation involving inter-state players. Authorities are now looking into possible links between the two cases.
A senior official from the Anti-Narcotics Task Force stated that follow-up investigations would aim to identify the key handlers, financiers, and supply sources. Mobile data, travel routes, and CCTV footage are being analyzed.
Call for cross-border cooperation
With drug seizures rising across the Northeast, officials are calling for better inter-state and inter-agency cooperation. Joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and real-time communication between police units in Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura are being considered.
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also been briefed about the situation. In recent months, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has stepped up efforts in the region and conducted awareness campaigns as well.
Looking ahead
The arrest of the Assam man and the recovery of over 373 kg of cannabis signal both a victory and a warning. While the operation shows improved vigilance by law enforcement, it also highlights the growing audacity of drug traffickers operating in the Northeast.
Authorities have promised strict legal action and continued vigilance to break the backbone of this smuggling chain. However, without comprehensive socio-economic reforms and community engagement, the region may continue to be exploited by traffickers.
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