Joint security forces in Manipur’s Senapati district recovered 15.35 kg of suspected opium concealed in a secret compartment inside a fake Army-marked SUV.
BY PC Bureau
June 15, 2026: In a major anti-narcotics operation, security forces in Manipur’s Senapati district seized over 15 kilograms of suspected opium from a Toyota Innova disguised as an Indian Army vehicle, exposing an elaborate attempt to evade scrutiny by exploiting military insignia and symbols of authority.
According to a report in online platform SSB Crack, the joint operation led to the arrest of a 45-year-old man from Assam and the recovery of contraband hidden inside a specially designed secret compartment built into the vehicle.
The accused, identified as Tarkeshwar Singh, son of Rajdeo Singh and a resident of Hijuguri Gaon in the Margherita area of Assam’s Tinsukia district, was taken into custody on the spot.
The seizure was made at around 9 am on Sunday during routine vehicle checks at the T. Khullen check-post in Senapati district. The operation was carried out by a joint team comprising the Special Operations Team (SOT) of Senapati Police, personnel from D-78 CRPF, the B-109 Quick Action Team (QAT) of the CRPF, and the 16 Assam Rifles under the supervision of Senapati Superintendent of Police Zaib Shaikh, IPS. The arrest and seizure proceedings were conducted in the presence of an Executive Magistrate.
SUV Fitted With Fake Military Insignia
According to the report, the Toyota Innova, bearing Assam registration number AS23AK5541, had been modified to resemble an official military vehicle despite having no connection with the Indian Army.
The vehicle was fitted with several features commonly associated with senior Army officers, including a VIP flag post, insignia resembling that of an Army Brigadier featuring a one-star plate, and a reversible nameplate displaying “ARMY” on one side and “MINISTRY OF DEFENCE” on the other.
Security personnel grew suspicious after noticing that the vehicle was travelling without an official escort, movement orders or any supporting documentation typically required for military convoys.
Preliminary verification confirmed that neither the driver nor the vehicle had any affiliation with the Indian Army. Officials suspect the fake insignia were deliberately used to avoid thorough checks at security checkpoints by creating the impression of authorised military movement.
Opium Hidden in Secret Compartment
A detailed inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of 17 packets of suspected opium, weighing approximately 15.35 kilograms, including packaging.
The narcotics were concealed inside a specially fabricated compartment beneath the body of the vehicle near the rear right-side door, indicating a high degree of planning and sophistication.
Apart from the suspected opium, security personnel also seized two mobile phones, a black wallet containing ₹5,000 in cash, a PAN card, a Voter ID card, the vehicle along with its keys, and the fake military nameplate used to impersonate official status.
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Case Registered, Probe Underway
A case has been registered at Senapati Police Station under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Investigators are now attempting to determine the source of the contraband, its intended destination and whether the accused was part of a larger inter-state drug trafficking network.
Officials have not ruled out further arrests as the investigation progresses.
Growing Concern Over Narcotics Smuggling
The latest seizure adds to a series of anti-drug operations conducted in Manipur in recent months, underscoring the state’s continuing struggle against narcotics trafficking due to its proximity to international borders and established smuggling routes.
Security officials said the use of counterfeit military insignia represented a disturbing tactic aimed at exploiting the trust and authority associated with the armed forces. Besides posing a security threat, such impersonation risks tarnishing the image of the Indian Army.
Authorities said coordinated efforts between state police and central security forces have played a crucial role in intercepting drug consignments and disrupting trafficking networks operating in the region.
