Itanagar: In a significant breakthrough under its ongoing anti-narcotics campaign, the Anti-Drug Squad (ADS) of West Siang Police apprehended a suspected drug peddler during a targeted operation in the Pakam III area of Aalo on June 24. The raid, part of ‘Operation Dawn 2.0’, was conducted following precise intelligence inputs and led by Inspector Yomken Riram, Officer-in-Charge of Aalo Police Station. The operation was supported by a dedicated team comprising SI Nending Kojing, ASI Marli Sora, HC TP Sona, Ct A. Ansari, Ct W. Dini, and Ct C.L. Khen, under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Police, West Siang.
The suspect, identified as Bili Potom, was detained from an OBT quarter during the operation. Upon initial interrogation and confrontation with evidence, Potom reportedly admitted to both consuming and selling drugs over the past two years. As per protocol, Executive Magistrate and Town Magistrate of Aalo, Jumkar Karbi, was informed and present during the formal search and seizure process, which was also witnessed by two independent observers.
The search yielded approximately 8.71 grams of suspected heroin concealed in five tobacco containers, along with three syringes and ₹13,100 in cash suspected to be proceeds from drug sales. Investigators were taken aback by the revelation that Potom is currently employed as an IT teacher under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme, having been appointed in 2023 and posted at the Government Secondary School, Pakam.
Following his arrest, a case was registered at Aalo Police Station under Case No. 35/25, invoking Sections 21(b) and 27 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police have begun sustained interrogation to identify the drug supply network and any accomplices involved.
Superintendent of Police, West Siang, praised the swift action of the ADS team and reiterated the district police’s firm resolve to combat narcotics trafficking. He appealed to the community to support law enforcement efforts and report suspicious activities, stressing that public cooperation is vital in the collective battle against drug abuse.