4 Held in Drug & Wildlife Trafficking: 115 Grams Heroin Seized, 3 Endangered Geckos Rescued

Banderdawa I July I 16 :

Four persons were arrested in possession of narcotics suspected to be heroin, weighing 115.36 grams, and allegedly capturing critically endangered live Gecko lizards inside a hut by Banderdawa Police.

The arrested drug and wildlife traffickers have been identified as Mrinal Chakma, aged 38, of Chakma village in Balijan, Papum Pare, Sobha Ranjan Chakma, 36, of Dumpathar, Diyun, Changlang, Budha Joy Chakma, 34, resident of Durgachena, Dhalai, Solengta, Tripura and Likha Lilly, 33, of R.R Colony 9 , Balijan, Papumpare.

Earlier, Banderdewa Police received reliable information from a source that several individuals were in possession of and planning to deliver narcotic drugs, suspected to be heroin, in Sonajuli village under Banderdewa Police Station

Accordingly, SP Naharlagun Mihin Gambo constituted a team comprising Inspector Kipa Hamak, OC Banderdewa, SI Koj Tada, HC DC Namsa, Ct T Bomdam, Ct R Tsering, and Ct U Gogoi to apprehend the suspect peddlers.

Subsequently, the team rushed to Sonajuli to locate the peddlers. The operation continued throughout the night in the Sonajuli village area.

At around 5 am, the team identified the location of the suspect’s house, which belonged to Mrinal Chakma, a 38-year-old man.

A search was conducted in the presence of a gazetted officer and independent witnesses. The search led to the recovery of 10 soap cases containing an orangish-colored powder, suspected to be heroin, weighing approximately 115.36 grams. The soap cases were hidden inside a grey bag.

Additionally, three critically endangered live gecko lizards were found in captivity inside the hut.

Upon spot examination, Mrinal Chakma disclosed that the drugs and Gecko lizards belonged to Sobha Ranjan Chakma, age 36, and Budha Joy Chakma, age 34.

These individuals had arrived at his house on July 12, 2024, and had been staying there since then. The accused persons accepted Chakma’s statement. and claim ownership of the drugs and gecko lizards.

Accordingly, the police team arrested the four drug and wildlife traffickers.

A case has been registered as Banderdewa PS/Case No. 47/2024 U/S 21(b) of the NDPS Act r/w Sec. 51(1) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

The Gecko lizards have been handed over to the forest officials of Biological Park, Iltanagar as per the direction of the court.