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Subsequently, the team rushed to Sonajuli to locate the peddlers. The operation continued throughout the night in the Sonajuli village area. At the morning time, team established the location of the suspect’s house, identified as the residence of Mrinal Chakma.
A search was conducted in the presence of a gazetted officer and independent witnesses, leading to the recovery of 10 soap cases containing orangish-colored powder suspected to be heroin, weighing approximately 115.36 grams, hidden inside a grey bag. Additionally, three critically endangered live Gecko lizards were found captured in the hut.
Upon spot examination, Mrinal Chakma disclosed that the drugs and Gecko lizards belonged to Sobha Ranjan Chakma, and Budha Joy Chakma, who had arrived at his house on July 12, 2024, and had been staying there since then.
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The accused persons corroborated Mr. Chakma’s statement and accepted ownership of the drugs and critically endangered species.
Accordingly, the police team arrested the drug and wildlife traffickers identified as Mrinal Chakma,(38) resident of Chakma village in Balijan, Sobha Ranjan Chakma (36) resident of Dumpathar, in Diyun of Changlang, Budha Joy Chakma (34) resident of Durgachena, Dhalai, Dist. Solengta, Tripura and Mrs Likha Lilly (33) resident of Balijan, Papumpare.
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The case has been registered as Banderdewa PS/Case No. 47/2024 U/S 21(b) of the NDPS Act r/w Sec. 51(1) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
The Gecko lizards have been handed over to the forest officials of Biological Park, Itanagar as per the direction of the court.