Four drug traffickers arrested in Churachandpur during 44-hour anti-smuggling op; 2.3 kg of Myanmar-origin brown sugar recovered.
BY PC Bureau
In a significant breakthrough against cross-border drug trafficking, Manipur Police have arrested four individuals and seized a large consignment of brown sugar in Churachandpur district, which shares a porous border with Myanmar.
The anti-drug operation, spanning 44 hours, was conducted by the police’s specialised anti-smuggling unit based on credible intelligence inputs. The crackdown, executed in multiple phases, led to the recovery of 2.3 kilograms of brown sugar concealed in 156 soap cases. The narcotics are suspected to be of Myanmar origin and are estimated to be worth ₹10 crore in the international black market.
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The third and most recent phase of the operation took place on Saturday in Sehken village under Behiang Police Station. Police apprehended two suspects: Peter Haokip (33), a resident of Thadou Veng, Singat, and Lhunkholal Haokip (23), from Changlei Veng, Molnom village. Both are natives of Churachandpur district and were found in possession of the bulk of the contraband.
The operation was launched after two earlier arrests on Friday. Hausuanlal Phiamphu (53), from Tonzang village, was the first to be taken into custody at Behiang Bus Parking. He was found carrying 168 grams of brown sugar. His interrogation led investigators to a second suspect, Lamminlal Haokip (33) of Thongkholui village, who was nabbed later the same day near Khenjang village.
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In addition to the narcotics, police also recovered a Honda Activa scooter believed to have been used for transporting the drugs. The vehicle was located in a public parking area in central Churachandpur.
According to officials, all four accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2023. Legal proceedings are currently underway, and further investigation is expected to uncover more links in the trafficking network.
This series of arrests marks a major success in Manipur’s ongoing fight against drug smuggling networks that exploit its international border with Myanmar, a known route for narcotics trafficking in the region.
