Imphal: Manipur police recovered 49.5 kilograms of suspected opium from a white Hyundai Creta abandoned in Senapati district early Sunday. The drugs were stashed in hidden floor compartments.
The operation began at 6 a.m. near the T. Khullen NAKA checkpoint on National Highway-2. A joint team of the Special Operations Team and Hengbung police tried to stop the SUV, but the driver floored it toward Senapati. Officers chased the vehicle while calling for backup from the Hengbung outpost. The suspect ditched the car near the Hengbung Baptist Church and vanished.
Officers hauled the SUV back to the checkpoint for a deep search. They found 49 packets of drugs tucked under the floorboards. Along with the haul, police recovered the registration papers and a photocopy of an Aadhaar card for the owner, 52-year-old Z. Reithingam. Police stated, "All seized items have been handed over to Senapati Police Station for registration of a case and further legal action."
Detectives are now tracking the owner and digging into the origin of the haul. The driver is still missing. Authorities continue their search for those responsible.
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