Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media on Saturday to issue a stern warning to drug traffickers, calling them “local Pablo Escobars,” after authorities successfully destroyed illegal poppy crops worth Rs 27.20 crore.
Sarma highlighted the significant seizure of 170 Bighas (over 56 acres) of poppy cultivation in the Char areas, carried out by Goalpara Police in January.
“Dear Local Pablo Escobars, Sorry to spoil your planned Udta Assam party! Because @Goalpara_Police destroyed 170 Bighas of poppy cultivation in the Char areas worth Rs 27.20 crore in January,” Sarma said in a post on X.
Pablo Escobar was a drug lord in Columbia, who unsettled the country’s democratic government and whose illegal drug trade spread across continents.
The Assam CM also shared a video, showing a tractor smashing the purported poppy plantation amid the presence of a huge posse of policemen.
“So next time you think of drugs, think of @assampolice first. #AssamAgainstDrugs,” the Chief Minister said.
Police destroyed the poppy cultivation at Sitalmari Char under Chunari Police Station. The operation was carried out under the leadership of ASP (HQ) Goalpara and OC, Lakhipur Police Station in the presence of the Circle Officer of Lakhipur, the Excise Inspector, and other officials.