Excise department destroys seized items

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 Officials of Directorate of Excise and Prohibition, Dimapur today destroyed seized articles worth Rs. 33,00000 at its office premises in the presence of Commissioner of Excise and Director of Prohibition, V. Maria Yanthan and other officers from various departments. As per the report provided by Superintendent of Excise, Chotingse Sangtam, the revenue incurred from the articles of more than 2 trucks amounted to Rs. 2196,000 which has been deposited to the State exchequer. The major destruction programme of seizure from February 2015 to September 2015 included 28550 bottles of assorted liquor, 185 pieces of yeast, 141.4 kgs of ganja, 8000 tablets of Alprazolam, 2700 tablets of Diazepam, 5002 capsules of Spasmoproxyvon, 650 tablets of Nitrosun, 20 grams of Brown Sugar (heroin), 27 Phials Codeine Cough Syrup. The report also shows the seizure involves 982 numbers of offences while 19 offences have been forwarded to the court. V. Maria Yanthan speaking during the short formal destruction programme, lauded the performance of the field staffs who seized huge quantities of drugs and liquors which are prohibited in the state. She said, the department with just over 200 manpower has been performing commendable duty for the welfare of the state and the district in particular. She also said that smugglers involved in the seizures should be punished by the judiciary and be jailed if needed. She demanded that smugglers be given befitting punishment if needed instead of freeing out on bail. The Assistant Commissioner (Enforcement) Ghokiho Yeptho, who also spoke during the programme pointed out about the shortage of manpower which is a major hindrance in effective execution of duty. He called upon all to participate in the prohibition initiative for the welfare of the society.