Drug trail leads to kingpin's lair
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 29 2011:
Close on the trail of the seizure of 200 and 250 kgs of Ephedrine and Amphetamine in Delhi recently, one of the kingpins of the drug cartel, identified as Robindro has been arrested by Imphal West police personnel.
Ephedrine and Amphetamine are in huge demand in Myanmar and China as it can be processed into finer drugs and the seized consignments were to be smuggled to Myanmar and China through Moreh in Manipur.
According to police inputs, the drug kingpin identified as Tongbram Robindro was arrested from his residence at Khagempalli today at 10 in the morning.
He is a native of Kairenphabi in Bishnupur district but shifted to Imphal.
Robindro was arrested in connection with the seizure of 250 kgs of Ephedrine and Amphetamine from a Delhi based supplier, Ram Naresh by Delhi police on June 5 .
The seized drugs is estimated to cost Rs 2 crores in the international market.
The trail to Ram Naresh was established after the arrest of Yaiphaba and Thokchom Napolean along with a consignment of 200 kgs of Ephedrine and Amphetamine in March and April in succession this year.
Napolean is a native of Bishnupur district.
The cover of Robindro was blown following the arrest of Ram Naresh and the subsequent interrogation.
Imphal West police swung into action following inputs from Delhi police.
During interrogation, Ram Naresh had reportedly spilled the beans that the 250 kgs of Ephedrine and Amphetamine seized from his custody was meant to be sent to Robindro.
Delhi police had earlier claimed that drugs were smuggled from Delhi to Myanmar and China via Moreh in Manipur and the money earned through the drugs racket was used to finance militant outfits operating in the North East.
Another major haul was the seizure of 120 kilograms of Ephedrine from an incoming flight some time back, making it the biggest single drug seizure in Manipur.
Investigations had revealed that the drug consignment was sent by the Guwahati based Life Care company located at 435-GIDC-Mehasanad to a fictitious outlet under the name of MNG Drugs and Bio-Pharma located at Imphal.
The consignment was seized from a Jet Airways flight.
Three persons were arrested in connection with the drug seizure and a Maruti van suspected to be used in ferrying the smuggled drugs was also taken into custody.
A two wheeler was also picked up by the cops.
The identities of the persons picked up are yet to be revealed.