RANGPO, May 30: A routine inspection at Sikkim’s bustling Rangpo Checkpost took an unexpected turn into a significant drug bust on Thursday evening, leading to the apprehension of three individuals caught in possession of a commercial quantity of suspected contraband capsules. The incident, unfolding around 7:00 pm, has sent ripples through the state’s anti-narcotics efforts.
The trio, identified as Jash Maya Kami (also known as Babita Chettri), 30-year-old Dinesh Biswakarma, and 28-year-old Simon Rai, both residents of Gangtok, were detained after authorities uncovered hundreds of blue capsules labelled “SPASCOREVEN” in their luggage and on their person. The suspects were travelling from Siliguri on a passenger bus when their journey was intercepted at the Old Checkpost in Rangpo, a crucial entry point into the Himalayan state.
The swift action by the police has resulted in a criminal case being registered, with investigators now intensifying their efforts to unearth the intricate network behind the illicit substances – tracing their origins and intended destinations.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged at Rangpo Police Station, the operation commenced with a routine check spearheaded by Police Inspector Chomu Lachungpa and his team at the checkpost. It was the suspicious demeanour of the three passengers that prompted a more thorough examination. Adhering to strict protocols, Kami’s body search was conducted in the presence of female witnesses, ensuring her dignity was upheld. This careful search yielded 413 blue SPASCOREVEN capsules.
A subsequent and more extensive inspection of a bag belonging to Rai revealed an even larger consignment: a staggering 2,434 capsules of the identical type. Biswakarma, the third individual, was also apprehended in connection with the discovery, although specifics regarding his exact involvement remain under active investigation. All seized capsules, strongly suspected to be controlled substances, are now under police custody, forming crucial evidence in the ongoing probe.
The Rangpo Police have registered a case under FIR No. 30/2025 on May 30, with charges levelled against the trio under sections 7, 9, and 14 of the Sikkim Anti-Drugs Act (SADA), 2006, read with section 9(1)(c) of the SADA Amendment Act, 2017, and section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
While Biswakarma and Rai were promptly arrested at the scene and placed in lockup at Rangpo Police Station, Kami’s arrest was deferred to the morning of May 31, adhering to necessary procedural requirements. The matter has been duly communicated to the Learned Judicial Magistrate in Rangpo. Police sources indicate that the ongoing investigation will focus on unravelling the supply chain of these capsules, identifying any potential links to larger drug trafficking networks, and meticulously defining the roles each suspect played in this significant bust.
Read More: Sikkim Woman Horrified by Obscene WhatsApp Video Call