A release issued by Assistant Commissioner, Customs Division, Imphal, HL Songate mentioned that acting on a specific information, at around 11 am of Thursday, officers of Anti-smuggling unit of Customs Division, Imphal pursued a vehicle (Mahindra Scorpio) grey in colour bearing registration number NL01H 9395 along Ukhrul-Imphal road.

It said that before the vehicle could be intercepted for checking, the driver of the said vehicle ran away leaving the vehicle behind along the road near N Molhoiphai village, Imphal East district.

The custom officer failed to nab the driver.

On examination of the vehicle one packet containing about 5 kilograms of opium was found inside the vehicle.

It further said a case has been registered by seizing the opium along with the vehicle under relevant section of the NDPS Act, 1985.

The value of the seized opium is estimated to be around Rs 10,60,000.

Investigation to nab the offender is continuing, it added.