Imphal: Security forces from central and state agencies arrested an alleged smuggler and seized 220 soap cases of Myanmar origin containing 3.3 kilograms of heroin in Manipur, valued at around Rs 2.6 crore in the local market, on Tuesday, officials said on Wednesday.
Based on intelligence inputs from various quarters indicating that smugglers were attempting to carry out anti-social activities, a joint team comprising the Customs Preventive Force, Churachandpur; Churachandpur District Police; and the 37 Assam Rifles was put on alert.
Acting promptly, the joint team intercepted a vehicle en route at a vulnerable location near the Churachandpur district headquarters. The accused was later identified as PK Shektak (32), a resident of Pearsonmun in Churachandpur and son of Kamzasang. Security personnel arrested him along with 220 soap cases containing suspected heroin and seized a Bolero vehicle.
Each soap case contained around 15 grams of heroin powder. Police said the street value of the seized drug in Imphal currently ranges between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 per gram.
Police have booked the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2023, and are investigating the source of the drugs and the involvement of possible accomplices.