Nomal Pegu arrested by Assam police from near Jagun with brown sugar on May 25, 2018. Photo: Laxman Sharma

The arrest of an anti-drug campaign activist with 10 grams of brown sugar by Jagun police on Friday evening from near Assam-Arunachal border in Tinsukia district surprised the locals there.

Nomal Pegu, from whose possession police recovered brown sugar, was a known face of crusade against drug menace in the area. He was actively involved in various anti-drug campaigns in the area. Locals are shocked and surprised to know about his involvement in drug peddling.

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Assam police seized brown sugar from a youth near Arunachal border in Tinsukia district. Photo: Laxman Sharma

โ€˜Ghost in the basket of mustards,โ€™ a local resident told Northeast Now while pointing towards the menace of drug abuse that has taken a serious proportion in the area.

Nomal hails from Karpongpuli village of Lekhapani area and owns a grocery shop.

He fell into police dragnet during an operation near Lakla Tea Factory in connection with Lekhapani PS case no 50/18 U/S-22(B) NDPS act.

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โ€˜I have been peddling drugs for the last three months. Drug peddlers from Digboi area fetch the substance here in Jagun for me which I further push to consumers from nearby areas of Jairampur, Bordumsa, Miao, Kharsang and so onโ€™, Nomal said.

According to Tinsukia SP Mugdhajyoti Mahanta tackling drug related and other crimes especially in border area is a herculean task. Mahanta sought peopleโ€™s cooperation to curb the menace. โ€˜My team hardly sleeps for two hours at nightโ€™, he said.

Laxman Sharma is Northeast Now Correspondent in Digboi. He can be reached at: [email protected]