The coordinated action of a joint team of Behiang Police and Assam Rifles led to the arrest of four Myanmar nationals or their alleged involvement in drug trafficking in Churachandpur district of Manipur, state police informed on Wednesday. Acting on intelligence inputs, the team intercepted a motorcycle in the Behiang Police Station area and apprehended two individuals from Bualkot village after recovering 22 soap cases suspected to contain heroin. In a separate operation, two more persons were arrested from Behiang village, with 44 additional soap cases of suspected heroin seized from their possession.
Police said the total quantity and value of the seized narcotics are yet to be determined, as the operations were carried out in remote areas. The arrested individuals have been identified as Thangsawmung (56), Kamkhenmung (56), Jhonmung (31), and HaukhuI (55), all residents of Chikha village in Myanmar. Cases have been registered at Behiang Police Station under the Foreigners Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Further investigation is underway.
Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh lauded the security forces for the achievement while stating that the arrests once again highlight how Manipur is being infiltrated by foreign illegal immigrants actively involved in drug trafficking. “While two of the arrested individuals reportedly claim to be Indian citizens, all four are Myanmar nationals as per preliminary reports,” Singh said.
