Itanagar: Police arrested a drug peddler at Solungtoo village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namsai district and seized 82 grams of suspected heroin worth around Rs 16.40 lakh in the illicit market.The accused has been identified as Osina Chautang.Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Namsai deputy superintendent of police Kengo Dirchi raided Chautang’s house on Wednesday, following mandatory protocols under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.The search was conducted in the presence of independent local observers, including members of the All Namsai Area Youth Association (ANAYA), and recorded on video using the govt’s e-Sakshya digital application to ensure complete transparency.During the search, officers recovered 82 grams of the contraband with other incriminating items. Preliminary questioning revealed that Chautang had allegedly sourced the heroin from outside the district to supply to local buyers.A case has been registered against him at the Namsai Police Station under relevant sections of the NDPS Act.Namsai SP Sangey Thinley said a probe was underway to trace the source of the consignment and identify the forward and backward links to break the larger trafficking network operating in the area.Reiterating a strict zero-tolerance policy against narcotics, police urged residents to share confidential information regarding the illegal drug trade to keep the district drug-free.
