Correspondent
IMPHAL, JUL 5: In one of the major anti-narcotic operations in recent time, a joint team of anti- narcotics team seized around 238.6 kg of contraband Ganja in Manipur’s Imphal East district, officials said on Sunday.
The seizure of the large quantity of contraband Ganja was made during the operation conducted by a combined team of the Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF), Imphal East district acting on reliable information, the police said.
Four persons were also arrested in the operation conducted at different locations under Lamlai police station in Imphal East district on Saturday (June 4), the police said.
The police identified the four arrested individuals as Ngangbam Dinesh (18) son of Ngangbam Suresh Singh of Leishangthem in Thoubal district, Phuritshabam Yaiphaba Meitei (18) son of Ph Laingam Meitei of Keibi Heikak Leikai in Imphal East district, Oinam Abung Meetei (42) son of late Ibobi Meetei of Pungdongbam Makha Leikai of Imphal East, Mataimei W Shimray son of WS Lengyo of Tuinem-A-II (Awungang) village in Ukhrul district.
The targeted anti-narcotics operation was conducted at Chingarel Tejpur under Lamlai police station in Imphal East district after obtaining due authorization from the competent authority.
During the operation, the joint team intercepted a Mahindra Bolero Pickup which matched with the source information at Chingarel Tejpur.
When the vehicle was signaled to stop, the occupant attempted to flee but was detained after a brief chase. On spot verification, the occupant identified himself as Mataimei W Shimray.
A thorough search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 16 packets containing suspected Ganja weighing around 209.7 kg (gross weight including packaging).
The contraband was seized and the person was arrested in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure, the police said.
During spot sustained interrogation, the detainee disclosed the identities of the intended recipients of the consignment.
Based on the disclosure made by the detainee, the joint team on alert at the same spot detained two individuals coming on a TVS Apache RTR 160 motorcycle.
They identified themselves as Ngangbam Dinesh and Phuritshabam Yaiphaba Meitei and they were apparently following the vehicle with Ganja consignment. Based on the disclosures made by the detained persons, the joint team raided a house at Pungdongbam Makha Leikai under the same Lamlai police station which led to the detection of 28.9 kg more Ganja. The owner of the house, later identified as Oinam Abung Meetei, was also detained, the police said.
All four detained persons along with the seized contraband item and vehicles were handed over to Lamlai police station for registration of the case and further investigation, the source added.