Members of two different local clubs detained as many as nine drug users, including non-locals, who are working as garbage collectors, from a rice hotel located at Punshi Keithel, Imphal West on Friday, sources said.
The drug users were caught by volunteers of Nagamapal Nachal and Echel Club at around 2 pm while conducting a drive against drugs in the area.
During the drive, the volunteers said they saw some garbage collectors entering into the said hotel in a suspicious manner. Immediately, some of the volunteers rushed inside the said hotel and during examination huge quantities of liquor were detected. The nine garbage collectors including non- locals who were found under the influence of illicit drugs were also apprehended.
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Later, a team of Imphal West district police arrived at the spot and the nine rag pickers were handed over to a drug rehabilitation centre located at Canchipur.
One of the members of Echel club, Dushanta told the media that the people need to remain aware and cautious of these garbage collectors who collect wastes from streets of Imphal city. Most of the garbage collectors are drug peddlers and they supply drugs to many users as home delivery services as well, he alleged.
It is unfortunate that such people have started supplying drugs amid the tight security in Imphal City. He appealed to the police personnel to take necessary steps to prevent such illicit activities.