Rajasthan man arrested with opium in Manipur

Imphal: Imphal West district police of Manipur have arrested an opium ferrier from Rajasthan on Tuesday in a major operation as a part of Manipur government’s War on Drugs.

The arrested person was identified as Saddhik Mohammad, 44, sonop of Safi Mohammad of Indra Nagar, Jodhpur, Sangria Fanta, Sangariya Jodhpur, Rajasthan-342013.

He fell in police hands when a team of Imphal West Police commando intercepted the Tata truck he was driving at Minuthong near MMTA area at around 6:30 pm.

The truck bearing registration number RJI9GG-0025 was coming from North AOC side towards Minuthong

In presence of an executive magistrate and gazetted officers, the vehicle which was carrying ply wood was searched and found one modified box type compartment on the bottom body of the vehicle which was suspected to be concealing some items. After the iron cover of the above modified box was removed, some items packed in brown cello tape were found. On opening the brown cello tape packet, it was found to contain opium, police said.

A total of 131 packets of opium packed in brown cello tape was taken out from the above modified box type compartment. Another seven packets of opium were found concealed inside the front dash board of the vehicle, it added.

The driver Saddhik disclosed that the recovered opium packets were handed over to him by one unknown person sent by his partner, Om Prakash of Jodhpur, Rajasthan to transport it to Rajasthan.

Saddhik was arrested at about 9:10 pm and seized the recovered items at 10:00 pm by observing all necessary formalities.

Altogether 138 packets of opium packets found to weigh 136.03 kg (approximately) including the weight of the wrapping cello tape were seized.

Two mobile phones, one Samsung Bbuetooth earpiece, one ICICI debit card, sum of Rs 1040 and the truck.

The recovered drug would value about Rs 10 crore in the international market, police said.