Kohima, June 15 (MExN): In a striking turn of events, a man now finds himself in lock-up for allegedly stealing heroin that was being held as narcotics evidence under police custody in Kohima earlier this year.
The breakthrough came on June 13, nearly three months after what the Kohima Police described as a “brazen midnight raid” on March 22, during which unidentified individuals breached the Malkhanna (evidence storage room) of the Prosecution Inspector's (PI) Court in Kohima.
As per police accounts, the burglary occurred between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM, when the perpetrators forcibly entered the secure facility.
They made away with forty-five soap cases containing 675 grams of suspected heroin, which was being held as crucial court evidence.
A press release from the PRO Kohima Police informed that the “audacious theft” of court property triggered an immediate high-priority investigation and nearly three months, officers worked to identify and track down those responsible for compromising a ‘core pillar of the justice system.’
The major breakthrough was achieved on June 13, when a team led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (North) Kohima, Sheta Lohe, arrested the prime suspect.
The suspect, identified as Kevichutuo Cüze (28 years), has been remanded to judicial custody as the investigation progresses as per the police.
Police are now focusing on key follow-up actions, including recovering the stolen heroin, identifying any accomplices, and building a watertight case for prosecution, the release added.
Describing the arrest as a “significant development,” the release affirmed that the investigation remains active and that the Kohima Police is committed to recovering the narcotics and ensuring all those involved face the full force of the law.
