Imphal: Six alleged drug smugglers were arrested and narcotics, including brown sugar and ganja, were seized in a series of coordinated operations carried out by enforcement agencies in Manipur over the past 24 hours, police said on Wednesday.
The operations were conducted jointly by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), central paramilitary forces, Manipur police and the Forest Department as part of an intensified drive against the illegal drug trade in the state.
In an operation, three residents of Moijing village were arrested near the Thoubal district police headquarters with suspected brown sugar. The accused were identified as Amar Shah (30), also known as Amar, Inni (36), alias Jalal, and Yakin Ahamed (26).
Security personnel recovered approximately 5.7 kg of brown sugar from their possession. Two four-wheelers, four mobile phones and several documents, including a PAN card, driving licence, RC card and Aadhaar card, were also seized.
In another operation in the Mantripukhri area under Heingang police station in Imphal East district, three more persons were arrested with suspected ganja.
The accused were identified as Aribam Mansish (24) of Kshetrigao Awang Leikai, Shajabam Aslam Khan (32) of Kshetri Bengoon Awang Leikai, and Dinesh Chingakham (24) of Kongpal Khaidem Leikai.
Officials said approximately 16.60 kg of ganja and a four-wheeler were recovered during the operation.
Meanwhile, as part of the anti-narcotics drive, the joint teams also destroyed large tracts of illicit poppy cultivation in hill districts of the state.
Around 10 acres of poppy plantations were destroyed at multiple locations between Tingpibung and Leplen villages under Saikul police station in Kangpokpi district. In another operation, approximately 25 acres of illicit poppy cultivation were destroyed at Sinakeithei under Litan police station in Ukhrul district.
Officials said the crackdown forms part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb drug trafficking and illegal poppy cultivation in Manipur.