SENAPATI, July 12: Senapati Police seized 49.5 kg of suspected opium concealed inside a Hyundai Creta after the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled following a chase along National Highway-2 on Sunday.
According to police, the Special Operation Team (SOT) of Senapati Police, along with personnel from Hengbung Outpost, was conducting frisking and checking at the T/Khullen NAKA checkpoint on NH-2 when a white Hyundai Creta travelling from Imphal towards Senapati was signalled to stop.
Instead of complying, the driver sped past the checkpoint towards Senapati, prompting the SOT to pursue the vehicle while simultaneously alerting the Hengbung Outpost to intercept it.
The vehicle was later found abandoned below Hengbung Baptist Church at Hengbung village along NH-2, with the ignition key still inside. However, the driver had fled before police arrived.
Police identified the vehicle as a white Hyundai Creta bearing registration number NL07CE-0841, registered in the name of Z. Reithingam (52), son of Shanghei Zingkhai of Kamphasom, Ukhrul district, Manipur, who is presently residing at Kukidolong Village, Chümoukedima district, Nagaland.
After unsuccessful attempts to trace or identify the driver at the scene, the vehicle was taken to the T/Khullen NAKA checkpoint for a detailed search.
During the inspection, police discovered 49 packets of suspected opium weighing a total of 49.500 kg, including the plastic packaging, concealed in specially made compartments beneath the vehicle’s floor.
The seizure was carried out in the presence of an Executive Magistrate. Besides the suspected narcotics, police also seized the Hyundai Creta, its registration certificate (RC), and a photocopy of an Aadhaar card belonging to the registered owner.
All seized items have been handed over to Senapati Police Station for further investigation and legal action. Police are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend the driver.
