Imphal: Manipur Police, in association with central security personnel, have arrested three drug smugglers, recovered brown sugar and contraband tablets, and destroyed 30 acres of illegal poppy plantations.
The arrests, seizures, and destructions were carried out in a series of operations at vulnerable locations across different districts of the state over the past 36 hours, officials said on Saturday.
As part of the first phase of the operation, joint forces intercepted a four-wheeler at T. Khullen Naka Check Point under Senapati Police Station in Senapati district and arrested two residents of Irong Chesaba Mayai Leikai, Kakching district: Rahish Khan (22) and Mustakim Ahamad (23).
From their possession, authorities seized 48 soap cases containing brown sugar weighing 660 grams, a Hyundai i20 (Regn. No. AS01AP0631), two mobile phones, and two Aadhaar cards.
Based on information obtained during the interrogation of the arrestees, the second phase of the operation led to the arrest of Mohammad Warish Khan (28) of Khomidok Masjid Maning, Imphal East district.
He was apprehended in his locality with contraband WY tablets. Authorities recovered a black three-wheeler (Auto, Regd. No. AS-01 NC-0846) and WY tablets weighing 550 grams from his possession.
During the third operation, security forces, along with the Forest Department and in the presence of an Executive Magistrate, destroyed 10 acres of poppy plantation at the Kangjang Hill Range area under Mao Police Station in Senapati district. Three makeshift huts found at the plantation site were also demolished.
In the final operation, security forces, together with the Forest Department and an Executive Magistrate, destroyed 20 acres of poppy plantation in the Mongken area under Henglep Police Station in Churachandpur district.