A huge consignment of narcotic substances being transported from Manipur to a neighbouring state was seized by Kamrup Police and the Special Task Force (STF) at Amingaon in Assam, officials said.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, police intercepted a bus bearing registration number AS 06 AC 7555, which was allegedly carrying narcotics from Kwatka in Manipur. According to officials, the smugglers had adopted a modus operandi in which only the peddlers travelled in the bus without any ordinary passengers.
During the operation, police recovered 197 soap boxes containing heroin weighing 2 kg and 561 grams, excluding the packaging, along with 8 kg of opium concealed in a secret compartment of the bus.
The seized contraband is estimated to be worth around Rs 21.36 crore in the international market.
Five persons travelling in the bus were arrested in connection with the seizure. They have been identified as Abdul Latif (33) of Ward No. 6, Kwakta; Md Taher Ali (38) of Ward No. 5, Kwakta; Md Islamuddin (38) of Ward No. 8, Kwakta; and Md Latip (30) of Ward No. 4, all under Phuchakhei Police Station in Bishnupur district, Manipur. The fifth accused, Md Ajmer (37), is a resident of Nahrup Pankhong under Irilbung Police Station in Imphal East district.
Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.
