Excise seizes drugs worth INR 66.7 lakh in one year

Our Reporter
Dimapur, June 26 (EMN): Excise department confiscated banned drugs worth INR 66,72000 since June 27, 2019, till date and registered 16 cases under NDPS Act 85/ Drug and Cosmetic (D&C) Act 1940.

The seized drugs included 8360 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, 240 kilogram of Ganja, 10385 capsules of Spasmo Proxyvon, 64 tablets of Nitrosun, 240.8 gram of heroin, 500 gram of morphine and 3430 kg of poppy straw.

This was disclosed by the deputy commissioner of Excise (NC), S Chanlei on the occasion of ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking,’ held in the conference hall of directorate, Dimapur, on June 26, on the them ‘Better knowledge for better care’.

Speaking on the occasion, the commissioner of Excise and Prohibition, Dimapur, Sedevikho Khro, stated that ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ is observed as an expression of determination to strengthen action and co-operation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

Khro added that the drugs or medicines such as Spasmo Proxyvon or cough syrup were produced to treat health problems. He however stated that because of the abuse of these drugs, it has been banned. He informed that this year’s theme was coined with a view to address the drug problem, which has been plagued by misinformation. Khro added that the theme emphasised on the need to improve the understanding of drug trafficking and to foster greater international co-operation for countering its impact on health, governance and security of the society.

Khro stated that many people do not know about ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ as it was not sensitise or made aware on the issue. He suggested that it should be the responsibility as an individual, community and social organisation to get involved and spread awareness of drug abuse.

Referring to United Nations office of drugs and crime report in 2017, he stated that in the year 2015, around 1.5 billion people used drugs at least once.

Nagaland, being placed geographically where there is free flow of drugs and very cheap as compared to international markets, he said everyone should involve and take responsibility in order to combat the menace.

He further urged the Excise department to play an important role as they know the technical problems and also sought ideas, suggestions, opinions to enable the government control drug abuse.

Speaking on significance of the day, the additional commissioner of Excise, Kevisetuo Angami suggested that it should be the responsibility of everyone to eradicate the menace of drug addiction.

‘It has affected the society directly or indirectly and millions of lives were destroyed because of drugs abuse,’ he said.

He also pointed out that drugs are still available in the markets despite stringent laws being introduced. He reasoned that it could be due to unawareness among the people on the quantum of punishment and because of profit motive.

Angami urged every individual to be socially alert and inform the laws enforcing agency when they notice any illegal activities. He further urged the staff to rededicate themselves to eradicate the menace of drug abuse.

‘Simply knowing laws would not work but one must know how to apply the law,’ he stated.