In a significant operation amidst the ongoing 21-month-long crisis in Manipur, state police have seized 10.565 kilograms of heroin powder worth over Rs21 crore in the international market. The operation, which took place along National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur), led to the arrest of three drug peddlers, including a couple.
The police acted on crucial intelligence about drug trafficking and launched a frisking operation at the Sekmai Police Station gate under the guidance of the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West. The operation led to the interception of two vehicles, a Bolero and a Tata Harrier. During questioning, the Bolero driver, KP Jacob from Maiba Village, Senapati District, confessed to carrying contraband hidden inside the vehicle.
Upon a thorough inspection in the presence of an executive magistrate and independent witnesses, the police discovered 461 soap cases containing heroin powder, concealed in the roof of the Bolero. A Mobile Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) later confirmed that the substance was indeed heroin.
Further interrogation revealed that the couple, M Joshou and J Vasti, driving the Tata Harrier, were also involved in the operation. They had been tasked with scouting police checkpoints along NH-102 by an individual named Ismail from their village, Laii, Senapati.
Based on Joshou’s statements, the police traced another Bolero parked at Emoinu Leirak, Paomei Colony, Imphal West. After retrieving the vehicle key from a local resident, Ng Vithai, who was asked to guard the vehicle by Ismail, officers discovered an additional 419 soap cases of heroin hidden inside the vehicle.
During questioning, KP Jacob revealed that a woman named Lily Hmar from Dimapur had contacted him to transport the drugs. He was promised Rs20,000 for the job. He received the Bolero from an unidentified individual in Senapati and drove it to Pallel, where he exchanged it for another vehicle carrying more contraband.
Meanwhile, Joshou admitted that the second Bolero had been driven by Ismail. He and his wife were paid Rs5,000 and given fuel expenses to act as scouts for the operation. All three arrested individuals, along with the seized heroin, have been handed over to the authorities for further legal action.
