Decline in seizure of contraband goods

In a direct fall out of the State government’s decision to withdraw narcotics personnel from check gates with effect from May 1, 2008, there has been a steep decline in seizure of contraband goods in Nagaland.
A comparative study of the seizure of contraband goods in the State from January 1-April 30 2008, and from May 2008 till September 2008, after the narcotics personnel were withdrawn reveals the difference in seizure of contraband.
According to a report issued by the Narcotics cell, Kohima, seizure of contraband items between
January 1-April 30, 2008, included ganja -89446 kg; brown sugar – 1.6 kg; heroin – 170 gm; Opium -16.9 kg , IMFL-31134 bottles, phensydyle – 48 bottles, Proxyvon – 6569 capsules; Relipan – 120 tablets and diazepam – 114 tablets.
On the other hand, the seizure made from May- September, 2008, included ganja – 2906 kg; brown sugar – 30 gm; IMFL -16511 bottles; proxyvon – 58, 261; Relipen – 540 tablets; Nitrozepam – 271 tablets, Diazepam -114.
From 2004 till April 2008, the seizure of contraband included ganja – 192, 482 kgs, brown sugar – 3kgs; Heroin -5.5 kgs, opium – 62.4 kgs, Phensydyl -48 bottles; Parvon Spas -14,303 capsules; IMFL- 220, 733 bottles; Proxyvon -606,937 capsules; Relipan – 44,630 tablets; Nitrozepam -14,992 tablets and Diazepam – 301 tablets.
Commenting on the high rate of illegal smuggling, SP Narcotics Imcharenla said Nagaland has become a transit point for illegal smuggling due to sharing of international boundaries and close proximity with the Golden Triangle, one of Asia’s main illicit opium-producing areas.
After the withdrawal of personnel from check gates, smugglers are more or less having a field day smuggling their good in and out of the State.
It may be mentioned most of the contraband seized between May and September 2008 were done during surprise checking in Dimapur and Kohima and involved narcotics personnel.