Smuggling of contrabands to Sikkim across inter-state border at Rangpo on the rise

Smuggling of contrabands to Sikkim across inter-state border at Rangpo on the rise

SANJAY AGARWAL, EOI, RANGPO, 6 MAY 2023 : Following the seizure of contraband drugs in a series of incidents at Rangpo on the border of Sikkim with West Bengal last month, the Sikkim Police have stepped up vigilance against attempts to smuggle in drugs in the state. 

At Rangpo border, Sikkim Police have succeeded in arresting a total of seven persons and seizing 8,033 capsules and 200 tablets of banned drugs and 454 bottles of prohibited cough syrup. Vehicles have also been seized, engaged in transportation of the prohibited drugs.

On April 5, two youths, Saran Kumar Biswakarma and Salu Rai, were arrested in Rangpo with 6,744capsules of a contraband drug. 

On April 9, Sameer Roy and Mamta Devi, a young man anda woman, were arrested at Mandi Bazar in Rangpo with 80 bottles of a cough syrup brand. On April 15, Buddha Tamang, a resident of Deorali, was arrested at Rangpo checkpost with 425 capsules and 200 tablets of contraband drugs and 65 bottles of cough syrup. 

On April 29, Madan Karki and Gagan Chhetri were arrested at Rangpo checkpost with 309 bottles of a banned cough syrup and 864 capsules of a banned drug. The total value of the seizures is said to be worth lakhs of rupees. 

Along with the inter-state border at Rangpo, the Sikkim Police are also keeping a close watch on drug dealers in the markets at Rangpo. 

The government has taken the initiative to make the law more stringent, but the number of people selling and using drugs seems to be on the increase. It is believed that the courage of the criminals are increasing.

To escape from the eys of the police, the dealers of the contrabands have adopted new ways to enter Sikkim. In many cases, the police are not getting support from the civil society. The administration has sought the support of the civil society, particularly the religious and social organizations.