Contraband capsules seized at Melli checkpost; Rinchenpong youth arrested for drug possession

Police at the Melli Checkpost arrested a 20-year-old man from Rinchenpong, Soreng district, for alleged possession of controlled substances. The arrest was made on July 23 following a tip-off that the suspect was travelling in a passenger vehicle carrying contraband capsules.

The accused has been identified as Saral Chettri, son of Birbal Chettri, a resident of Bimbirey, Rinchenpong. Acting on credible information, PI Gaurav Gautam, SHO of Melli Police Station, along with HC Aita Hang Limboo, swiftly proceeded to intercept the Siliguri-to-Jorethang bound vehicle (SK 02 J 0646) in which the suspect was reportedly travelling.

Upon arrival, the police found the vehicle already halted at Melli Checkpost. All passengers, except the suspect, were asked to step out of the vehicle. Two independent witnesses, Homnath Sharma of Melli Bazar and Ugen Ongdup Bhutia of Kewzing, were brought in to ensure transparency in the search process.

The suspect was informed of his right under Section 24 of the Sikkim Anti-Drugs Act (SADA) 2006 and Section 50 of the NDPS Act, and he chose to be searched in the presence of a gazetted officer. SDPO Jorethang, Shri Kessang Dorjee Bhutia, arrived at the scene and supervised the proceedings.

No contraband was found on the suspect’s person during the body search. However, when asked to identify his belongings, the suspect pointed out a Sky Blue “Sky Bags” branded bag with orange stripes that was placed on the roof of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the bag was found to contain:

- 89 files, each with 8 capsules

- 1 opened file containing 4 capsules

Total: 716 capsules of Proximec-Spas (Batch No. MG65523, MFG: 05/2025, EXP: 04/2027)

The capsules, concealed in a black polythene bag, were seized, packed, and sealed in a carton labeled “Libra Exclusive Mugs”. Both the drug-containing bag (marked Exhibit A) and the Sky Bags backpack (Exhibit B) were confiscated in the presence of witnesses and the magistrate.

The suspect was unable to produce any documents or licenses required under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940, or the Sikkim Trade License Act. As per Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, the search and seizure were properly recorded through photographs and video. The seized substances were then sent to the District Malkhana, Namchi, for safekeeping.

A case was registered as Melli PS Case No. 15/2025 under Sections 7 and 14 of the SADA 2006, read with Section 9(1)(c) of the SADA Amendment Act 2017. The investigation has been handed over to SI Bir Bahadur Rana, and the accused has been formally arrested.