Ukhrul, June 10: In a major crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking, contraband worth over ₹55.52 crore was seized during a coordinated three-day operation in Manipur’s Churachandpur district. The joint operation, codenamed “Operation White Veil”, was conducted from June 5 to 7 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Customs, 37 Bn Assam Rifles, and the Manipur Police.
The seized items include 7,755.75 grams of heroin valued at ₹54.29 crore and 6,736 grams of opium worth ₹87.57 lakh in the international grey market. Authorities also recovered ₹35.63 lakh in cash, two Baofeng walkie-talkies, and a Maruti Eeco van. A total of five persons have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
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The operation began in the early hours of June 6, when two suspects traveling in a Maruti Eeco van were tracked from Behiang Village near the India-Myanmar border to a residence in Thadou Veng, Singngat sub-division. A search of the premises led to the recovery of 219 soap cases filled with heroin, eight packages and 18 small tin cans containing opium, cash amounting to ₹7.58 lakh, and communication devices. One suspect was arrested at the site, while two others who fled were apprehended at the Bualkot Check Gate. A follow-up search at a residence in Behiang led to the recovery of additional opium packages and ₹28.05 lakh in cash.
On June 7, acting on further intelligence, two individuals carrying improvised manpacks were intercepted near Border Pillar 46 at Zoukhonuam Village. Their bags were found to contain 440 soap cases of heroin.
Preliminary investigations suggest the drugs were smuggled into India from Myanmar through the porous and forested Indo-Myanmar border.
Despite operational challenges in the remote terrain, the multi-agency effort resulted in a significant blow to narcotics trafficking in the region. Authorities have reiterated that under the NDPS Act, offenders may face rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years.
(Source: PIB)