Imphal: In a major blow to drug trafficking in Manipur, police nabbed a smuggler and seized a staggering 1.6 kilograms of heroin powder – estimated at Rs 11.65 crore in the international black market – during an operation on the Imphal-Churachandpur highway on Monday.
Acting on intel about smuggled goods moving from Churachandpur, bordering Myanmar, a joint team of Bishnupur district police and state special commandos intercepted a white Bolero jeep at the Tera Urak checkpoint around 9 am.
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A thorough search, overseen by Bishnupur police station officer-in-charge Saktisen, revealed 139 soap cases of various colours cleverly concealing the illicit cargo.
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The arrested driver, identified as Md Sahidur (28) from Kwakta village in Bishnupur district, is now facing charges under the ND&PS Act. Further investigations are underway.
An investigation has been initiated to trace the origin of the suspected drugs.