Dibrugarh: Golaghat police seized heroin worth approximately Rs 3 crore from an SUV at Furkating in Golaghat district on Friday. The operation led to the arrest of three individuals involved in an interstate drug trafficking network.
The heroin, weighing 512 grams, was cleverly concealed inside 45 soap cases hidden within the fuel tank of the car. Police intercepted the vehicle while it was en route from Kohima in Nagaland to Dhola in Tinsukia district.
"We have been following this drug smuggling link for the last one year. Technical analysis was being carried out. We got information that an SUV with a huge drugs consignment had left from Kohima. Accordingly, we carried out an operation and around 12 pm noon we intercepted a vehicle near the
Furkating police outpost," said Golaghat additional SP (Crime) John Das, who led the operation.
The operation resulted in the arrest of drug smuggler Foridur Rahman, also known as Mamu, a resident of Tiruwal village in Golaghat and the vehicle's driver, Diganta Borgohain.
"Rahman is a notorious drug smuggler with a long history of drug trafficking. He is a key player in the interstate drug racket. We have been pursuing him for a long time, and today's arrest is a major success in our fight against narcotics," Das added.
Following information provided by the accused, police also apprehended the intended recipient of the contraband, Prafulla Dutta, a resident of Dhola in Tinsukia district. Sadiya police arrested Dutta on Friday afternoon based on intelligence shared by Golaghat police.
Under the NDPS Act, the accused face severe penalties, including potential imprisonment of 10 to 20 years and substantial fines if convicted.
The operation was part of Assam Police's intensified crackdown on drug trafficking throughout the state, with special focus on transit routes connecting neighbouring states known for drug production and smuggling activities. The Nagaland-Assam route has been identified as a significant corridor for drug movement, with authorities intensifying surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities along border areas.
The arrested individuals are currently being interrogated to uncover additional links in the trafficking network. Authorities believe the arrests could lead to further operations targeting the supply chain.