In a major breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, security forces in Manipur arrested three individuals and seized a significant quantity of contraband, cash, and a vehicle in two separate operations on Friday, August 29. The coordinated crackdowns, carried out in Senapati district, underline the state’s ongoing struggle with drug smuggling along sensitive border routes. The first operation was conducted by personnel from the Hengbung Police Outpost under Senapati Police Station. Acting on intelligence inputs, the team apprehended a young smuggler, identified as 22-year-old Paogoulal Touthang of T. Gamnom village in Kangpokpi district. A thorough search led to the recovery of 205 soap cases of brown sugar weighing 2.816 kilograms.
Officials also confiscated ₹2.5 lakh in cash, a four-wheeler vehicle, one mobile phone with dual SIM cards, and several identification documents including Aadhaar, PAN card, and driving license. Police sources described the seizure as one of the significant hauls in recent months. In a separate operation at Mao Gate Police Check Post, security personnel intercepted two women smugglers travelling from Tunggam Afi village and currently residing in TNK village, Senapati. The accused were identified as Ms. B. Dinah (42) and Ms. H. Khune (45). The police recovered eight soap cases of brown sugar weighing 113 grams, along with two mobile phones from their possession. Both were taken into custody and are being interrogated to reveal links to larger trafficking networks.
Officials said the seizures demonstrate the evolving methods of drug syndicates attempting to transport contraband through Manipur’s porous border areas. With Myanmar sharing an extensive frontier with the state, the region has long been considered a hotspot for narcotics smuggling. The lucrative trade, involving substances like heroin and brown sugar, has posed not only a law enforcement challenge but also a major social threat, fuelling addiction among youth.
