Top News

Significant Drug Seizure in Imphal

Imphal: Authorities in Manipur have successfully confiscated a substantial amount of methamphetamine tablets, valued at over Rs 22 crore, and apprehended a truck driver in connection with the case, officials reported on Saturday.

According to a senior police official, the Manipur Police intercepted a truck at the New Keithelmanbi Police picket in the Imphal West District on Friday night, uncovering a significant stash of drugs hidden within the vehicle's roof.

Upon testing, the seized items were confirmed to be methamphetamine tablets, commonly referred to as Yaba or party pills.

The driver, identified as Nawaj Sharif, 34, from Thoubal District, was taken into custody, with authorities seizing 57.285 kg of the illicit substance.

In a related operation last week, a collaborative effort involving the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Customs, Assam Rifles, and the Manipur Police led to the seizure of 7,755.75 grams of heroin worth Rs 54.29 crore and 6,736 grams of opium valued at Rs 87.57 lakh, along with Rs 35.63 lakh in cash.

Additionally, two walkie-talkies and a vehicle were confiscated, and five individuals were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act).

The drugs were discovered in a residence located in Thadou Veng, Churachandpur district, concealed in soap cases and small tin cans.

Initial investigations suggest that these drugs were smuggled from Myanmar into the Churachandpur area via the porous India-Myanmar border.

Despite various challenges, a coordinated effort by law enforcement agencies resulted in this successful operation, as stated by officials.

The NDPS Act imposes severe penalties on offenders, which can include rigorous imprisonment for up to ten years.

Historically, Churachandpur has seen numerous drug seizures due to its unfenced border with Myanmar and Mizoram.

Myanmar, sharing a 1,643 km unfenced border with four northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram—serves as a crucial transit hub for drugs, especially heroin and methamphetamine entering India.