Moreh OC remanded in drug case
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 16 2019: Just within a month after Chief Minister N Biren Singh awarded Moreh PS as the best police station of the State during the 128th raising day of Manipur Police on October 19, the Officer in Charge of the station, Letkhohao Vaiphei, has been taken into police custody in connection with his involvement in the smuggling of contraband drugs along Imphal-Moreh route.

Letkhohao Vaiphei (53) s/o (L) Nguikhojang Vaiphei of Sapormeina, Kangpokpi district, was produced before the Court of Special Judge, ND&PS Manipur, today and taken into 5 days police custody remand till November 20 .

Moreh OC remanded in drug case

During the proceeding, the IO of the case (through the APP) submitted that at around 6.35 of November 12, upon receiving specific information regarding the smuggling of a huge quantity of Ketamine narcotics/ psychotropic substances which were kept concealed at the residence of Assistant Sub Inspector of Moreh PS, T Paominlun Haokip (of New Moreh Ward No 9), a team of Tengnoupal police, in presence of the Executive Magistrate, conducted a raid at the said residence and seized 34 cartons containing Ketamine injection IP bottles.

During preliminary interrogation, Paominlun Haokip revealed that the previous day (November 12), he received a call from Inspector Letkhohao Vaiphei telling him that some items would be brought by Constable/ driver Luckson Kom and Head Constable Md Khalil-up of the station and instructing him to keep the items at his residence.

As such, Paominlun was arrested and remanded into police custody till November 18 .

The IO continued that during preliminary interrogation, Constable/driver Luckson revealed that he, along with Head Constable Md Khalilup, met Letkho-hao Vaiphei at North AOC on November 11, at around 4.30 pm, and they stayed for the night at the residence of Md Khalilup at Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai and loaded the contraband items in a 407 Tata truck belonging to Moreh PS the next day.

He disclosed that Letkhohao Vaiphei instructed them to contact Paominlun and keep the contraband at his (Paominlun) residence and as such, they contacted the ASI before reaching the station and unloaded the items at his residence.

On the other hand, Head Constable Md Khalilup stated that he was contacted by one Md Islauddin of Lilong Tairen Makhong about the transportation of some contraband items to Moreh and he was promised to be paid Rs 1 lakh as transportation charge.

He revealed that as such, the matter was discussed with Luckson and Letkhohao Vaiphei.

Md Khalilup further disclosed that after agreeing to transport the contraband, he took Rs 50,000 as advance payment from Md Islauddin and on November 12, the items were brought near his residence by one Aziz Khan of Lilong Tairen Makhong (who was sent by Md Islauddin) .

On their way to Moreh, he gave Rs 30,000 as advance to Luckson.

Upon reaching Pallel, he got down from the vehicle and boarded a separate passenger vehicle.

The IO explained that following the investigation, Inspector Letkhohao Vaiphei was arrested yesterday in connection with the case and during interrogation, he admitted the charges levelled against him.

The OC also revealed that he was approached by Luckson Kom and Md Khalilup for transportation of the contraband items.

After going through the case records and hearing the submission of the IO, the Court remanded the OC of Moreh PS, into police custody for five days till November 20 .

On the other hand, Manipur police DGP LM Khaute issued an order on November 14 suspending the OC of Moreh PS while Tengnoupal SP also issued a similar order on the same day suspending the other three police personnel.