A joint operation involving the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Customs, 37 Bn Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police led to the seizure of drugs and cash worth ₹55.52 crore in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, according to a press release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

The three-day operation, codenamed “Operation White Veil”, was carried out from June 5 to 7 in the Indo-Myanmar border areas of Churachandpur district. The joint team recovered 7,755.75 grams of heroin valued at ₹54.29 crore and 6,736 grams of opium worth ₹87.57 lakh in the international illicit drug market. Additionally, cash amounting to ₹35.63 lakh, two Baofeng walkie-talkies, and a Maruti Eeco van were seized.

Five individuals were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

On June 6, two suspects traveling in a Maruti Eeco van were discreetly followed from Behiang village near the Myanmar border to a residence at Thadou Veng, Singngat sub-division. A search of the house led to the discovery of 219 soap cases of heroin, multiple opium packages, walkie-talkies, and ₹7.58 lakh in cash. While one suspect was apprehended from the house, two others who had fled were later caught at Bualkot check gate.

Subsequent raids led to the recovery of two more opium packages and ₹28.05 lakh from another residence in Behiang village.

On June 7, two individuals carrying improvised manpacks were intercepted at Zoukhonuam village near Border Pillar 46. A search of the bags revealed 440 soap cases of heroin.

Initial investigations suggest the drugs were smuggled from Myanmar through the porous and forested Indo-Myanmar border. Authorities said despite logistical challenges, the coordinated action resulted in a major breakthrough in curbing cross-border drug trafficking.

The NDPS Act under which the arrests were made allows for stringent penalties, including up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.