Back-to-back heroin seizures in Imphal Valley highlight growing drug networks; police corruption exposed with five officers suspended.
BY PC Bureau
August 17, 2025 – The Manipur hills may be notorious for poppy cultivation, but the Imphal Valley has its own share of drug peddling and processing, as revealed by a series of recent cases of Heroin busts, arrests and crackdowns by security forces. Authorities have intercepted multiple heroin smuggling operations, seizing significant quantities of the narcotic and arresting several individuals, highlighting the region’s rising drug menace.
On August 16, security forces intercepted two separate heroin smuggling operation in the Imphal Valley along NH-02 in Bishnupur district, arresting three individuals and seizing over 369 grams of heroin.
Two men, Md. Najeruddin @ Babu Phisubam (42) and Md. Altab Khan @ Boy Moijingmayum (31), both residents of Kwakta Ward No. 8, were apprehended near Terakhongshangbi Bazar under Moirang police jurisdiction. Authorities recovered 22 soap cases containing 256 grams of heroin, along with a four-wheeler and two mobile phones.
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Later the same day, the Manipur police executed another case of heroin bust, arresting Md. Arub Khan Ipham Khansa (26) of Kwakta Khuman Ward No. 5 at Kwakta Sabal Leikai under Phougakchao Ikhai police jurisdiction, with 10 soap cases of heroin weighing 113 grams, a four-wheeler, and a mobile phone.
Investigations in the Heroin bust cases are ongoing to trace the sources and distribution network of the seized narcotics.
On 16.08.2025, security forces arrested a drug smuggler, one Md. Arub Khan Ipham @ Khansa (26) of Kwakta Khuman Ward No. 5 (G.P.) from Kwakta Sabal Leikai along NH-02 Tiddim Road under Phougakchao Ikhai-PS, Bishnupur district. From his possession, the following were seized:
i.10… pic.twitter.com/6ouNFA8sRw— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) August 17, 2025
In a separate operation conducted jointly by the Manipur Police and the CRP on August 15 in the Imphal Valley, authorities seized approximately 2.066 kg of heroin and arrested two individuals: Jenarul Mia (21) from West Bengal and Deba Das (18) from Assam. The accused were found with two mobile phones and a motorcycle believed to be used for transportation. The seizure has been registered under the NDPS Act, with the location identified as Imphal in a report by the Times of India. For some reasons, the Manipur police didn’t disclose the location of arrest..
Amid increased number of cases of Heroin bust in the Imphal valley, five police personnel from the state capital were suspended for allegedly accepting bribes to release drug peddlers along major routes. The suspended officers include Inspector Ningthoujam Devdas Singh, Sub-Inspector B. Debson Singh, Constable Tarique Aziz, Head Constable Md Rakib, and Jemadar Md Amin Shah. Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh confirmed the suspensions and reiterated a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and narcotics trafficking.
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Officials warn that the Imphal Valley is increasingly becoming a hub for drug peddling and small-scale processing, complementing the larger poppy cultivation in the hills. Authorities are bolstering surveillance along highways, urban centers, and border areas to intercept trafficking networks and prevent the spread of narcotics.
Security forces are conducting further investigations to dismantle networks supplying heroin to Manipur and neighboring regions. The recent operations, combined with administrative action against corrupt officers, signal that authorities are determined to curb the growing drug menace in the valley while maintaining integrity within the police force.
