Imphal: Manipur Police have arrested a suspected key operator of an interstate narcotics network in Gujarat and recovered 8,320 bottles of cough syrup containing Codeine Phosphate during a follow-up operation, officials said on Wednesday.
The investigation began with an FIR registered at Porompat Police Station following the arrest of three people and the seizure of suspected illicit substances. As the probe progressed, police allegedly identified Nongthombam Jamesjit, alias Thoi, as a key figure in the suspected network.
Jamesjit, who runs Kangla Drugs & Surgical Pharmacy at Naoremthong Bazar in Imphal West, had reportedly been evading arrest. Police later traced and apprehended him in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
A local court in Gujarat subsequently granted Manipur Police four days’ transit remand to facilitate his transfer to Manipur for further interrogation.
The investigation then led to a joint search operation conducted by Manipur Police, Central security forces and members of YADAM, a voluntary organisation, along the Oinam Thingel riverbank.
According to officials, the search was carried out based on information allegedly provided by one of the accused arrested during the initial stage of the investigation.
During the operation, security personnel recovered a concealed stock of 52 boxes of CHOCO+ cough syrup, containing a total of 8,320 bottles. The bottles were found to contain Codeine Phosphate, an opioid substance subject to regulatory controls.
Police said the investigation is continuing to establish the suspected network’s supply chain, financial links and distribution channels, including any possible connections to the pharmacy and its proprietor.