Lalpatta fast becoming transit point for drug smugglers

Gaighat, September 13

Lalpatta, the main gateway to Udaypur district headquarters Gaighat, is fast emerging as a transit point for drug smugglers.

According to sources, at least two drug smugglers are held with huge amount of drugs almost every week. Lalpatta is located on the border of Saptari and Udaypur districts. Buses, private jeeps, cars and motorbikes are usually used for trafficking drugs, said police.

Police have arrested at least five persons for trading in contraband in the past one week.

Two youths were held with drugs during regular checking at Lalpatta Police Post yesterday night. They are: Santosh Magar and Nitesh Basnet of Triyuga Municipality of the district.

Marijuana, ampules of lupizesic, amphenol and fenargon, among other drugs, were seized from them, said Communications Officer DSP Surendra Gurung of the district at a press meet today. The alleged confessed they were drug users and had brought the contraband from Laukahi, Thadi, on the Nepal-India border.

According to preliminary investigation, Laukahi is a drug hub where all types of contraband are imported. “Unless we beef up security checking along the border points, the illegal trading in contraband will never cease,” said DSP Gurung.

Drugs are supplied to eastern districts, including Khotang. The arrested revealed that Beltar, Rampur, Katari and Murkuchi bazaar were major drug importing areas.

Sources claimed that drugs were also smuggled from Jayanagar of India before being supplied to Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu and Khotang via Katari.