Chandel ADC Chairman arrested with drugs worth Rs 27 crore
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 20 2018: In a major breakthrough a combined team of Narcotic and Affair of Border (NAB) and Imphal West district police arrested Lhukhosei Zou alias Sesei Zou, chairman of Autonomous District Council (ADC) Chandel and seven other associates, along with a huge quantity of heroin and World is Yours (WY) tablets worth Rs 27 crore as well as Rs 57,18,000 in cash at around midnight yesterday.

The BJP, Manipur Pradesh has expelled Lhukhosei from the primary membership of the party for his anti-party and anti-social activities.

An order to this effect was issued by the State BJP president K Bhabananda Singh today evening.

Briefing media persons at NAB office complex today, DIG Range II, Themthing Ngashangva, who is also in-charge of DIG (NAB), said that a series of drive was launched yesterday evening after getting specific information about the illegal trade of drugs in the State.

Acting on a specific tip off, a team of NAB led by Additional SP in-charge Th Brinda, under the supervision of SP NAB W Basu, arrested two individuals identified as Esther Vungheinuam (22) w/o Paopu Ngaite of Moreh ward number 1 (near Gangam Ground) and Mung Zou alias Aric (19) s/o Ginsamum of Moreh ward number 3, Gamnim Veng, from Mantripukhri Vaiphei Veng at around 6 pm yesterday.

One of their associates identified as Teresa Ngaite alias Nengboi (54) w/o (L) Langlenkhup Ngaite of Moreh Ward number 1 (also staying at Mantripukhri Vaiphei Veng) was also arrested from the spot along with 200 WY tablets worth Rs 2,18,000.During preliminary interrogation and as per the revelation of Esther Vungheinuam and Mung Zou, one more associate identified as Thangminlun Zou (30) s/o Chinsuanlam Zou of Churachandpur Luumual (presently staying at Langol Game Village Zone 1) who is a driver of the Chandel ADC Chairman Lhukhosei Zou, was arrested as well.

The arrested individual, Thangminlun Zou, led the police team to his residence at Langol Game Village where he had hidden two suitcases packed with illegal drugs.

In the presence of the police, Thangminlun Zou pulled out two large suitcases (one green and another maroon in colour) from the ceiling and the suitcases were found containing a huge amount of heroin and WY tablets packed in soap cases and plastic bags.

Upon the disclosure of Thangminlun Zou and Mung Zou, another associate identified as Lawrence Zou (50) s/o (L) Lungin of Lamglongei Mantripukhri, who is a sound recorder at St Joseph's Cathedral Church Mantripukhri, was arrested along with 80,000 WY tablets and Rs 42,000 in cash, stuffed inside a black briefcase and several passbooks and cheque books, from the said St Joseph's Cathedral Church, the DIG informed.

The DIG conveyed that during further interrogation, the arrested individuals revealed that more drugs were kept at the Lamphel quarters of Lhukhosei Zou alias Sesei Zou (52) s/o (L) Thongmang Zou of Phaicham Veng Moreh ward number 2, who is the Chairman of Autonomous District Council (ADC), Chandel.

Upon getting the information, a joint team of Imphal West district police and NAB Manipur conducted a late night raid yesterday at the Chairman's quarters and seized 2 lakh W/Y tablets.

The police team also recovered one 0.32 Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) pistol along with 21 live rounds, a single barrel rifle with two gun licenses, one Honda Activa (MN02-B-2301), Rs 95,000 in demonetised Indian currency, Rs 13,13,000 in cash from the possession of Lhukhosei Zou.

Accordingly the joint police team arrested the Chairman of ADC Chandel along with his PRO Jamkhohao (28) s/o Jamthong of Moreh ward number 1 (Home Guard Veng) and one Minlal Mate (22) s/o Jamthang Mate of Moreh ward number 3 (Phaichem Veng), from the Lamphel quarters at around midnight in connection with the case.

The DIG explained that in total, the police team was able to seize 4.959 kgs of heroin (worth Rs 13,78,50,000), 2,80,200 number of WY tablets (weighing around 28 kgs and worth Rs 14,01,00,00) and Rs 57,18,000 in cash during the raid.

He continued that the total amount of drugs along with the seized currency notes amount to Rs 28,36,68,000.The DIG stated that the State police are also working tirelessly to arrest all major drug kingpins operating in the State.

When asked by the media persons, the DIG clarified that the arrested ADC Chairman resisted when he was being taken into custody by the police team.

It may be mentioned that on April 17 last year, the arrested ADC Chairman, along with 13 other elected ADC Members, joined BJP and the felicitation function was held at BJP Manipur Pradesh HQ at Nityaipat Chuthek.

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