A joint operation in Jiribam has yielded a major suspected heroin haul estimated at Rs 80 crore in the international market. The consignment was allegedly concealed in the roof of a truck cabin, with the driver taken into custody.
BY PC Bureau
September 3, 2026: Security forces in Manipur have stepped up operations against narcotics trafficking and militant extortion, making two major drug seizures and arresting three alleged members of the banned United National Liberation Front (Koireng), or UNLF(K), in coordinated operations across the state.
The operations on September 2 involved Manipur Police commandos, Assam Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The seizures included 10.8 kg of brown sugar suspected to be heroin in Jiribam, with an estimated international market value of Rs 80 crore, and 22.4 kg of ganja in Thoubal district.
Rs 80-crore suspected heroin haul in Jiribam
In Jiribam, a joint team of Borobekra Police, CRPF and Assam Rifles intercepted a goods truck at Makha Basti after receiving specific information about the movement of suspected anti-social elements in the area.
A search of the truck, bearing registration number AS 01 LC 7631, led to the recovery of 10.8 kg of brown sugar suspected to be heroin. The contraband was concealed in the roof section of the truck cabin, according to officials.
On 02/09/2026, a joint team of Jiribam District Police, CRPF and AR intercepted a truck (AS 01 LC 7631) at Makha Basti, Jiribam and recovered 10.8 Kgs of Brown Sugar/Heroin which was kept concealed in the roof portion of the truck.
The driver, Azahar Hussain @ Monu, S/o (L) Babul… pic.twitter.com/I9sAGXsmbp— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) September 3, 2026
The driver, Azahar Hussain alias Monu, a resident of New Khairabad F.V., Lalpani, in Assam’s Cachar district, was arrested. The seized consignment was valued at about Rs 80 crore in the international market, officials said.
The driver reportedly disclosed the name of another person allegedly involved in concealing the consignment. The accused, vehicle and seized contraband were subsequently handed over to Jiribam Police for further legal action.
The seizure is significant because Jiribam sits at the western end of Manipur and is connected to Assam’s Barak Valley, making the district an important link between Manipur and the wider northeastern transport network.
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Ganja seized in Thoubal
In a separate operation, Imphal East Commandos, acting on intelligence corroborated by the 28 Assam Rifles, arrested two alleged drug peddlers at Thoubal Phoudel.
The arrested men were identified as Akoijam Sushil Meitei alias Inaoton, 43, and Thoiba Nameirakpam alias Ibungo, 31.
Police recovered 22.4 kg of ganja and two mobile phones from the suspects. They were taken into custody for further investigation.
Three alleged UNLF(K) members arrested
Security forces also continued their crackdown on militant extortion networks.
Acting on intelligence corroborated by the 33 Assam Rifles, Imphal West Commandos conducted a search at Ghari Awang Leikai and arrested Yengkokpam Malemnganba Meitei alias Motu, 29.
Police described him as an active member of the UNLF(K) allegedly involved in extortion. A white Mahindra Bolero bearing registration number MN06LB 9916 was also recovered.
In follow-up action, security forces arrested two more alleged UNLF(K) members — Salam Tomba Singh alias Tondonba, 22, of Khabam Bamdiar Mayai Leikai in Imphal West, and Konsam Vivek Meitei, 21, of Charangpat Maklang Mayai Leikai in Thoubal district.
The three suspects and the recovered vehicle were handed over to the concerned police station.
