Drugs worth ₹21 cr seized, peddlers flee, landlord held
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 22 2022:
A combined team of Special Commando Unit, Khabeisoi and Customs Department seized brown sugar worth around Rs 18 crore from a rented house in Kontha Ahallup Makha Leikai on Thursday.
According to a police report, based on reliable input, the combined team carried out a house-to-house search operation in Kontha Ahallup Makha Leikai at around 4 pm on Thursday.
During the operation, the house of one Mutum Amuchou Singh (66) s/o (L) M Gokuljao Singh of Kontha Ahallup Makha Leikai, Imphal East district was searched and around 175 soap cases, suspected to contain brown sugar, were seized.
However, the person, who claimed to be the owner of the brown sugar and had rented the house for the last five days, managed to escape.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the person who rented the house is one Muhammad Rafique Kutti (45) c/o Muhammad Abdul Jalil of Moreh Ward no 3, Tengnoupal sub-Division and his wife Zenth (38) of Phaijam Veng, Bidna Part-II.
As the alleged owner of the drugs was not available at the time of the operation, the landlord has been picked up for further necessary verification.
The seized drugs are estimated to be worth around Rs 18 crore in the international market.
The seized items and landlord have been handed over to Customs Department for initiating further course of legal action, the report conveyed.
Meanwhile, Tengnoupal Battalion of IGAR (South) seized 1.820 kg of Brown sugar worth Rs 3.64 crore at Khudengthabi Permanent Vehicle Check Post in Tengnoupal district on Thursday.
According to PRO IGAR (S), during routine checking of vehicles, troops of Assam Rifles intercepted a red Maru-ti Van at Khudengthabi.
On thorough search of the vehicle, 1.820 kg of brown sugar worth Rs 3.64 crore packed in 44 soap cases was recovered.
The drugs were concealed inside the door panels of the vehicle.
On detection of brown sugar inside vehicle, the driver clandestinely fled from the spot.
The recovered drugs have been handed over to Moreh Police for further investigation, the PRO said.