The crackdown not only led to the bust of a brown sugar supply chain but also uncovered a secret cache of weapons — pointing to a dangerous nexus between drugs and armed militancy in the hill district.
BY PC Bureau
In a string of operations aimed at curbing narcotics and arms trafficking, Manipur Police—assisted by central security forces—have arrested two suspected drug peddlers and uncovered a cache of sophisticated weapons in Churachandpur district.
The first operation, launched on the basis of intelligence inputs, led to the arrest of Hausuanlal Phiamphu (53), a resident of Tonzang village. He was apprehended at the Behiang Bus Parking area, where police seized 168 grams of brown sugar from his possession.
On 24.07.2025 Manipur Police arrested one Hausuanlal Phiamphu (53) of Tonzang village, Churachandpur district from Behiang Bus Parking, Churachandpur. From his possession, 168 gm of brown sugar was seized. From his disclosure, his accomplice, one Lamminlal Haokip (33) of…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) July 25, 2025
Following his interrogation, police tracked down his alleged accomplice, Lamminlal Haokip (33) of Thongkholui village, at Khenjang. The team also recovered a Honda Activa scooter used in transporting the narcotics from a vehicle parking lot in central Churachandpur.
Both men, belonging to Kuki-Zo community, have been charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2023.
In a separate operation, security forces recovered a significant arms cache from Siden village under the jurisdiction of Churachandpur Police Station. The items seized include:
- One .22 rifle (no magazine)
- One 9mm carbine and one 9mm pistol (both with magazines)
- Six SB rifles
- One 12-bore rifle
- One bolt-action single-barrel rifle
- A modified long-range mortar (Pompi)
- Three live Pompi bombs
- Two Baofeng radio sets
- One smoke grenade
- Various rounds of ammunition
Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin and intended deployment of the recovered weapons. Authorities suspect the arms may be linked to ongoing unrest in the hill districts.
