Shillong, May 12: A drug peddler was arrested along with 67.36 grams of heroin during a naka checking at Lumshnong in East Jaintia Hills district on Friday.

He has been identified as Gabriel Elvin Thabah (33), a resident of Bishop Falls near Sein Raij School, Lower Mawprem, Shillong, East Jaintia Hills Additional SP B Jyrwa said.

He said a naka was set up at Lumshnong after credible information was received that a drug peddler is proceeding from Silchar, Assam side towards Shillong.

Accordingly, at 1.20 pm, the suspect was detected from one commercial sumo and he was apprehended and detained.

Further, after observing all formalities under NDPS Act and in the presence of independent witnesses, search was conducted and from his backpack six soap boxes containing orange colour powder were recovered, he said.

He said the suspected contraband item was tested and gave positive results for heroin and the total weight was found to be 67.36 gms.

A case has been registered with the Lumshnong police station and investigation is on to trace the backward and forward linkages.

Meanwhile in another incident, police also seized over 111.18 kgs of ganja from a vehicle (AS 01 AY 6969) which was coming from Silchar, Assam side and apparently proceeding towards Khliehriat side.

On seeing the police, on checking duty at Damcherra, Umkiang, NH-06, the driver abandoned the vehicle near the checkpoint and fled away along with another occupant.

Further, search of the vehicle was conducted and ganja was found concealed inside the vehicle in the presence of independent witnesses. After observing all formalities under NDPS Act, the suspected contraband items were tested and gave positive results for marijuana and the total weight was found to be 111.18 kgs.