A fake Army Brigadier carrying 15.35 kg of opium was among several drug suspects arrested as security forces and police intensified anti-narcotics operations across Manipur.
Imphal, June 14: Security forces and Manipur Police have intensified their crackdown on narcotics trafficking across the state, leading to a series of major seizures over the past few days, including the arrest of a man allegedly posing as an Army Brigadier while transporting opium and multiple recoveries of heroin, brown sugar, methamphetamine tablets and cocaine.
In one of the most striking cases, an individual allegedly impersonating an Army Brigadier was arrested during a routine security check conducted by a joint team of security forces, including Senapati Police, at T. Khullen in Senapati district on Saturday.
The accused was identified as Tarkeshwar Singh (45), son of Rajdeo Singh, a resident of Margherita in Assam's Tinsukia district. Police said he was travelling alone in an Innova vehicle bearing registration number AS23AK5541.
The vehicle drew suspicion as it carried a VIP flag post and displayed "Army" and "Ministry of Defence" nameplates but was not accompanied by any escort vehicle. Security personnel intercepted the vehicle and conducted a thorough search.
During the search, 17 packets containing approximately 15.35 kilograms of opium were recovered. Investigators later found that the driver was a civilian and not associated with the armed forces. Security personnel also seized two mobile phones, an Aadhaar card, a voter identity card and cash amounting to Rs 5,000 from his possession.
A case has been registered at Senapati Police Station and further investigation is underway.
In another major operation, three persons were apprehended by personnel of the 5th Assam Rifles in the Tongdam area of Churachandpur district on the evening of June 13. The accused were identified as Pauzathang (45) of Singngat village, Ginpu Zou (39) of Thingkangphai village and Kailunmang (30) of Hiangtam village.
Security personnel recovered 67 soap cases containing suspected brown sugar from their possession. The seized items and the three accused were handed over to Churachandpur Police Station. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for investigation.
On the same day, Churachandpur Police arrested another alleged drug trafficker during a special operation conducted at S. Paukhozam Road in Headquarter Veng following specific intelligence inputs.
A police team led by ASI K. Paumuansang established a vehicle check-post after receiving information about the transportation of suspected brown sugar. The operation was carried out in the presence of Executive Magistrate Thangkhohao Haokip, who had been deputed by the Deputy Commissioner.
During checking, a suspicious Alto car bearing registration number WB19G-8906 was intercepted. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 77 soap cases of suspected brown sugar concealed inside a nylon sack. The seized contraband weighed approximately 3.127 kilograms, including the weight of the soap cases.
The driver, identified as Thongkhosei Haokip (44) of Molnoi Pallel in Tengnoupal district and currently residing at Deilhenphai village in Churachandpur, was arrested on the spot. Police also seized the vehicle, a mobile phone and other articles. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act.
Earlier, on June 10, Manipur Police intercepted two vehicles along National Highway-2 under Kangpokpi Police Station and arrested four individuals in connection with the transportation of methamphetamine tablets commonly known as WY tablets.
The arrested individuals were identified as Md. Zamir Khan (45) of Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai, Md. Zuma Khan (32) of Kshetri Makha Leikai, Md. Hafizuddin (42) of Golapati and Samim (36) of Lilong Haoreibi Leikai.
Police said Md. Zuma Khan is a constable of Manipur Police, while Md. Hafizuddin serves as a head constable in the force.
A total of 6.1 kilograms of WY tablets were seized along with two vehicles — a Winger (MN-03B-0283) and a Nissan Magnite (MN-08A-0877).
In another operation on June 12, police arrested Dil Bahadur Chetry (41), a resident of Tinsukia district in Assam, from the North AOC area under Imphal Police Station in Imphal West district. He was found in possession of 412 grams of methamphetamine tablets.
Security forces also arrested Md. Farish Khan (28) from Sangaiyumpham Nungphou Mamang Leikai in Thoubal district on June 12. A search conducted at his residence resulted in the seizure of 13.4 grams of heroin powder stored in two bottles, a plastic container holding 17.9 kilograms of suspected heroin solution, cash amounting to Rs 37,500 and a Honda Activa 6G scooter.
Meanwhile, police arrested two individuals from different locations in Imphal West district and recovered cocaine from their possession. Sukham Rozar (25) of Sagolband Sayang Pukhri Mapal was arrested near Nityainanda Mandir on RIMS Road with 4.6 grams of cocaine, while Mutum Giriraj alias Pakpa (29) of Sagolband Meino Leirak was arrested from his locality with 18.6 grams of the narcotic substance.
In Bishnupur district, police seized 26 soap cases of suspected heroin from a Tata Gold Sumo bearing registration number AS11BC5395 at Tronglaobi Makha Leikai under Moirang Police Station on June 13. Two occupants of the vehicle, identified as Bicky Munda (22) of Charhajare village in Senapati district and a juvenile from Hungpung village in Ukhrul district, were apprehended.
Police said investigations are continuing in all the cases to identify wider drug trafficking networks and establish links between the accused and organised narcotics syndicates operating within and outside the state.
