Imphal: Three alleged drug smugglers were arrested and 5 kg of opium seized during a joint operation by security forces and police near the Manipur-Assam border.
The operation was carried out in the early hours of June 29 following specific intelligence inputs about the movement of narcotics along National Highway-37 in Manipur’s Jiribam district.
A joint team comprising central security forces, Jiribam Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) intercepted a silver-grey Hyundai i20 (registration number GJ-27BL-0847) at Leingangpokpi village and recovered 5 kg of opium along with Rs 50,000 in cash during a search of the vehicle.
Two occupants of the vehicle, identified as Dhanraj Prajapat (46) and Buddha Ram (44), both natives of Rajasthan, were arrested on the spot.
Follow-up investigation and interrogation led police to a third suspect, who was subsequently arrested during a raid at Thanga Khunjem Leikai in Bishnupur district.
The three accused, the seized contraband, cash and the vehicle have been handed over to the concerned police station for further legal action.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to trace the source of the seized opium and identify others allegedly linked to the inter-state narcotics network.