Gauhati High Court Directs DGP to Investigate Missing Heroin from Karbi Anglong Drug Bust

The Gauhati High Court has ordered Assam’s Director General of Police (DGP) to launch a probe into the disappearance of over 1,995 grams of heroin seized in a high-profile drug bust in Karbi Anglong in May 2022. The order came after the investigating officer (IO) admitted to being unaware of the current location of the seized contraband, raising serious concerns over procedural mishandling.

The original bust took place on May 8, 2022, when law enforcement officials intercepted a vehicle at Dillai in Karbi Anglong and confiscated 1,995.29 grams of suspected heroin, distributed in 152 boxes. Two individuals were arrested and later convicted in July 2023, receiving a ten-year prison sentence. However, the High Court identified multiple violations of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act during the trial, which eventually led to the quashing of their convictions.

A critical issue in the case was the missing drugs. The IO admitted he had no documentation confirming the proper storage, display, or destruction of the seized heroin, violating NDPS Act provisions, including Sections 42 and 52A. The absence of compliance with legal protocols cast doubt on the legitimacy of the investigation, prompting the court’s intervention.

In addition to ordering the investigation by the DGP, the court directed the Registrar (Vigilance) to gather reports from the District and Sessions Judge of Karbi Anglong and the District Drug Disposal Committee to verify if the seized heroin was destroyed following the prescribed guidelines. The findings of this inquiry could have serious ramifications for the officers involved and may influence how drug enforcement cases are handled in Assam moving forward.