In a major crackdown on drug trafficking in Manipur, four people, including a woman were arrested and over 15 kg of heroin seized from their possession late Monday in Kangpokpi district, sources said.
According to Kangpokpi police, the drugs were seized from the rear deck of a Mahindra XUV500 which was plying with an unregistered Scorpio (RJ 48UB-0025 as per registration plate found inside the vehicle) during an intensive frisking conducted by the police at the check post of Kangpokpi police station.
Police said the drugs were smuggled from Churachandpur to be transported to Senapati. They said the owner of the seized drug, one Lunminsang Haokip from Churachandpur district, was driving the unregistered Scorpio along with a company, Mangkholun Haokip from Chandel district, while the SUV500 was driven by a driver identified as David Suantak of Churachandpur district.
The arrested persons disclosed that the contraband drugs were to be handed over to one woman, RK Poukhurou, in Senapati, police said.
On recieving the information, a police team rushed to Senapati and arrested RK Poukhurou from the approach road of TNK village. After confirming her involvement in the smuggling, all the four individuals were detained at Kangpokpi police station. The two vehicles along with other incriminating items were also seized from the four individuals, police said.
The four arrested were produced before the CJM, Kangpokpi on Tuesday and they have been remanded in police custody for seven days for further investigation of the case.
Meanwhile, a team of Singnat police station also seized 90 soap cases of suspected brown sugar and arrested drug peddlers from Maukot village, under Singnat sub-division, Churachandpur district on Monday.
The arrested persons have been identified as one Sutkhanzam, 60, son of Gouzaneng of Ngathal and Liansanglun, 34, son of Kapchinhau of Vaalveng, New Lamka.
The police said based on input about transporting of contraband items coming from Maukot village side under Singngat sub-division, officer-in-charge, Singngat Police Station set up two teams led by sub-inspector, Chinzasiam and assistant sub-inspector Hauliankhup.
While conducting frisking and checking about 500 metres away from the police station, one vehicle (Alto Car) with registration number MZ 02 7577 was stopped and checked thoroughly in the presence of SDO/SDM, Singngat.
During the activity, the team detected 90 soap cases containing suspected brown sugar. On questioning, the two occupants disclosed their identity and on weighing the suspected brown sugar it was found to be around 1.080 kg approximately. The detected contraband items were seized and the two persons were arrested. A case has been registered at the same police station under ND and PS Act for further investigation.
