An international drug smuggler wanted in India and abroad was arrested in Thoubal district of Manipur, police said on Thursday.
Superintendent of Police (Narcotics and Affairs of Border) W. Basu said that many law-enforcement agencies were after Mohammad Masle, who was arrested on May 30 at Lilong.
Md Masle alias Masleuddin alias Haji Basleuddin, 63, a resident of Lilong Turel Ahanbi, was reportedly arrested from his residence in a joint operation launched by a team of NAB and Thoubal district police officers led by Thounaojam Brinda DSP of NAB.
The combined team also reportedly recovered some cash from his possession. Basu said that six FIRs stand registered against the drug smuggler, who was operating his racket for five years.
Masle has been declared a proclaimed offender by the police department for his involvement in a number of cases including drugs and arms trafficking, organised crime etc and the first case against him was lodged in 1988 for assault with a deadly weapon, The Indian Express reported.
He is one of the known drug kingpins of Manipur, who runs an international drug cartel spanning from Myanmar to India, Nepal, Bangladesh and other South East Asian countries. The officer said the smuggler was being interrogated on his illegal activities.
The arrested drug lord has been remanded to police custody till June 11 for further investigation. It is learnt that seven FIRs across different police stations have been lodged against him.