In a major drug trafficking bust, Manipur Police intercepted a truck carrying methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs 22 crore and arrested the driver involved.
Officials reported that the truck was stopped at the New Keithelmanbi Police picket in Imphal West District on Friday night. A search uncovered large quantities of methamphetamine tablets, known locally as Yaba or party pills, hidden within the vehicle’s roof.
The driver, identified as Nawaj Sharif (34) from Thoubal District, was immediately arrested. Authorities recovered approximately 57.285 kilograms of the contraband, with an estimated street value of Rs 22 crore.
In a related crackdown last week, a joint team comprising the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Customs, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police seized 7.75 kg of heroin worth Rs 54.29 crore and 6.7 kg of opium valued at Rs 87.57 lakh from a residence in Thadou Veng area, Churachandpur district. They also confiscated cash totaling Rs 35.63 lakh, two walkie-talkies, and one vehicle.
The seized drugs were found hidden in soap cases and small tins, believed to have been smuggled across the porous India-Myanmar border through forested areas.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the methamphetamine consignment was destined for the border regions of Churachandpur, underscoring the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in curbing cross-border drug trafficking.
Despite these obstacles, coordinated efforts by multiple agencies have resulted in these significant seizures. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, offenders can face rigorous imprisonment of up to ten years.
Churachandpur has historically been a hotspot for narcotics seizures due to its unfenced border with Myanmar and Mizoram. Myanmar’s extensive 1,643 km unfenced border with northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram continues to be a major transit route for illicit heroin and methamphetamine entering India.
