In a continued crackdown on the illegal drug trade, Manipur Police arrested five individuals and seized substantial quantities of contraband substances in two separate operations conducted on October 27 across Senapati and Imphal East districts.

In the first operation, a team from Senapati Police Station intercepted three suspects at T. Khullen along NH-2 in Senapati district. The arrested individuals were identified as Mohammad Shoaib Alam (22) of K.R. Lane, Golapati, Imphal East; Sunir Phundreimayum (21) of Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Leikai, Thoubal; and Kh. Rafique (22) of Yaripok Bamon Leikai, Thoubal.

Upon searching them, police recovered 17 packages of ganja weighing around 9 kilograms, three luggage bags, and four mobile phones.

In a separate operation the same day, Irilbung Police apprehended two suspected drug traffickers near Basikhong Bridge Road, Kiyamgei Takhok, in Imphal East district. The arrested persons were identified as Md. Ashif Ali (18) of Kiyamgei Muslim Awang Leikai and Md. Washim Khan (22) of Kiyamgei Muslim Takhok Makha. Police seized 36 grams of Heroin Powder No. 4 from their possession.

Both cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police said further investigations are underway to trace the source and network behind the seized contraband.