Dimapur: Dimapur police have dismantled an interstate cocaine trafficking network with the arrest of five persons and the seizure of around 33 grams of suspected cocaine.
The seized substance has been sent for forensic examination, police said.
According to Dimapur DCP (Crime), the arrest of an alleged key cocaine supplier operating in the city, identified as Tohuka Sema alias Toka (35), helped uncover an organised drug trafficking syndicate with links across three states and the involvement of a Nigerian national.
The four other arrested accused have been identified as Yeka Awomi (30), Biresh Kumar (22), Akhtar Hussain (35) and Swantheiba Inkah (25).
Police said Awomi was arrested from Pune in Maharashtra, while Biresh Kumar and Akhtar Hussain were apprehended from Delhi. Inkah, who worked as a delivery agent, was allegedly involved in facilitating the transportation and delivery of the contraband.
Two other suspected members of the network, who are currently outside Nagaland, remain absconding. Police have launched efforts to trace and arrest them.
A case has been registered at West Police Station in Dimapur under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
During the investigation, police found that the syndicate allegedly used commercial courier and parcel delivery services, including DTDC Courier Services, to procure and distribute cocaine through a structured network of suppliers, handlers and delivery agents.
The DCP said the preliminary probe indicated that the network functioned through separate roles involving procurement, payment channels, interstate transportation, courier-based movement and distribution of the drugs.
The investigation has also revealed possible interstate and international connections, including the alleged involvement of a Nigerian national.
Police are continuing their probe to identify more associates, track financial transactions, locate customers and determine the complete extent of the trafficking operation.
The DCP appealed to citizens to share any credible information related to narcotics activities, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept confidential.