Imphal, March 13, 2010: Taking serious note of wide-spread Poppy cultivation in three hill districts of the State namely Churachandpur, Chandel and Ukhrul district and possible smuggling of the products to other States for manufacturing cocaine, Narcotic Control Bureau, Delhi has sanctioned necessary fund to procure equipments for destroying cultivation of this narcotic plant.

According to information received from the Narcotic and Affairs of Border (NAB), Government of Manipur, apart from widespread cultivation of Poppy in Churachandpur, Chandel and Ukhrul district, there is strong believe that the products are being smuggled outside Manipur to other parts of the country through Nagaland.

Disclosing that among the three Poppy growing hill districts Churachandpur produces the largest quantity, the reliable source said the smuggled Poppy products from Manipur has found place in the International cocaine market.

It is said that one kg of cocaine which costs around Rs 25,000 in Imphal would fetch Rs 30,000 in Nagaland.

In order to destroy the Poppy cultivation in the three hill districts, Narcotic Control Bureau, Delhi has sanctioned fund for purchasing necessary equipments like camera, mobile phone, cutting machine and two vehicles, the source con veyed.

Interacting with The Sangai Express in this connection, OC of NAB Kh Rabichandra informed that with the collaboration of the Army and the Assam Rifles, NAB has started destroying Poppy cultivation on the hill sides of Chandel, Churachandpur and Ukhrul.

A team of NAB led by a havildar is currently camping in Sajik Tampak of Chandel district to launch a drive against Poppy cultivation with the assistance of the Army there, the OC informed.

Stating that peddling of heroin powder (No.4) to the quantity of 5 to 30 grams has been on the rise in Manipur, the officer explained in order to curb this illegal trade, deployment of many sources on payment of money would be required.

However, as there is not enough fund, this measure has not been adopted.

Increase in the number of petty peddlers is an indication that there are bigger fishes out there.

Yet, NAB has not been able to combat drug trade effectively due to lack of adequate manpower, Birchandra lamented.

It is learnt that there is only an inspector, one sub-inspector, three havildars and 14 constables in the service of NAB currently.

Birchandra said that as there is the need for setting up an armed section, proposal have been made for increasing the strength of the staff.

Out of 41 onstables who are currently undergoing training at Manipur Police Training Centre, Pangei, 27 of them would be utilised in the service of NAB on completion of the training.

Two SIs and two ASIs are also currently on probation, he added.

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