NAMSAI, 31 Jul: The Namsai police arrested two drug peddlers with 12 grams of contraband during a search operation in Nongtaw Khamti here on 30 July, Namsai SP Sangey Thinley said.

The arrested drug peddlers have been identified as Chow Manlai and Chow Jayanta Manchey, the SP said.

The operation was carried out by a police team led by DSP Kengo Dirchi, with support from the All Namsai Area Students’ Association (ANASA), following credible information about illegal possession and peddling of narcotics in the village, Thinley said.

The suspected contraband was concealed in a plastic bottle and a tobacco container.

During the preliminary inquiry, both admitted that the contraband was kept for personal consumption as well as sale, the SP said.

Further investigation is underway.

The Namsai police and the ANASA have jointly intensified anti-drug drives since June this year, he said.

So far, 30 drug users have been identified and voluntarily referred to de-addiction and rehabilitation centres. Strict legal action is continuing against drug peddlers, the SP added.