Back-to-back anti-narcotics operations in Senapati and Bishnupur districts dealt a significant blow to suspected drug syndicates, with police recovering nearly 55 kg of narcotics, seizing two vehicles and arresting one alleged trafficker.
BY PC Bureau
July 13: Manipur Police dealt a major blow to suspected drug trafficking networks over the weekend, seizing nearly 55 kg of narcotics in two separate operations across Senapati and Bishnupur districts. The seizures included 49.5 kg of suspected opium and 5 kg of brown sugar, with one suspected trafficker arrested and another fleeing after abandoning his vehicle during a police chase.
The back-to-back recoveries, made within 48 hours, underscore the intensified anti-narcotics campaign being carried out by Manipur Police along the state’s key transport corridors, which are often used by drug syndicates to move contraband.
49.5 kg Suspected Opium Recovered in Senapati
In the larger of the two seizures, the Special Operation Team (SOT) of Senapati Police, assisted by personnel from the Hengbung Police Outpost, intercepted a white Hyundai Creta (NL-07CE-0841) at the T/Khullen NAKA on National Highway-2 on Sunday.
According to police, the SUV, travelling from Imphal towards Senapati, ignored repeated signals to stop and sped through the checkpoint, prompting security personnel to launch a pursuit.
The vehicle was later found abandoned below Hengbung Baptist Church in Hengbung village, with the ignition key still inside. The driver had escaped before police arrived.
A thorough search of the SUV led to the recovery of 49.5 kilograms of suspected opium concealed inside the vehicle.
Police said the vehicle is registered in the name of Z. Reithingam (52), a resident of Kamphasom village in Ukhrul district, who is presently residing at Kukidolong village in Chümoukedima district, Nagaland. Investigators are working to trace the driver and determine whether the registered owner had any role in the trafficking operation.
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5 kg Brown Sugar Seized in Bishnupur
In a separate operation a day earlier, police intercepted a grey Tata Punch (MN-04P-4706) in the Kwakta area of Bishnupur district.
The lone occupant, Md. Amzad Khan (47) of Lilong Chingjao, was arrested on the spot.
During the search, police recovered approximately 5 kilograms of suspected brown sugar along with ₹83,770 in cash, believed to be linked to the illegal drug trade. The vehicle has also been seized.
Probe Underway
Police have registered separate cases in connection with both seizures and launched investigations to identify the suppliers, transporters and intended recipients of the narcotics.
Officials suspect the consignments were part of larger interstate trafficking networks operating through Manipur, which shares a porous international border with Myanmar and has long been considered a key transit point for heroin, opium and other narcotics entering India.
The latest seizures are part of Manipur Police’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking under the state’s anti-narcotics campaign, with security forces intensifying surveillance at highway checkpoints and vulnerable transit routes to dismantle organised drug syndicates operating in the region.
