By Bit Irom
Imphal: Indian security forces have busted an inter-state drug smuggling racket following intensified anti-narcotics operations in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, bordering Myanmar.
Four alleged smugglers were arrested, and a significant quantity of heroin and raw opium, valued at over Rs 5 crore in the international market, was seized, officials reported on Sunday.
Key recoveries included more than 474 foreign-origin soap cases containing 5.4 kg of heroin and 11.7 kg of raw opium near the Myanmar border within the past 36 hours.
Based on intelligence inputs, central security forces, in coordination with state police, conducted the first operation in Bolkot under Singngat police station.
Three individuals, identified as Hangkhanlian of Chakarpur (Gurgaon, Haryana), Nengmuanlal, and Ginlamthang Guite, both from M. Buangmun village (Singngat, Manipur), were arrested, and a four-wheeler was seized.
The joint team intercepted the illegal consignment while it was being transported to Haryana, the report further stated.
In a separate operation, the joint team arrested Samuel Guite (28) of Saidan village under Churachandpur police station at his residence, along with 12 bags of raw opium weighing 11.7 kg, a mobile handset, and a digital weighing machine.
Police confirmed that all the accused have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigations are underway to determine the source of the drugs and trace other accomplices.