Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Police seized 49.5 kg of suspected opium on July 12 after a high-speed chase on National Highway-2. The drugs were stashed inside a white Hyundai Creta, registration number NL-07CE-0841, abandoned near Hengbung Baptist Church.
Trouble started at 6 am. Security personnel from Senapati Police and the Hengbung Outpost were running a checkpoint at T Khullen. The SUV, headed from Imphal toward Nagaland, ignored signals to stop. It sped past the officers. The team gave chase while alerting the Hengbung Outpost to block the road.
Police found the SUV dumped near the church. The ignition key remained inside. The driver was already gone. Authorities moved the vehicle to the T Khullen checkpoint to conduct a thorough search in the presence of an Executive Magistrate. They found 49 packets of suspected opium hidden in secret compartments beneath the floor.
Paperwork found in the car identified the owner as 52-year-old Z. Reithingam. He is from Kamphasom in Ukhrul district and currently lives in Kukidolong Village, Chümoukedima, Nagaland. Officers seized the vehicle, the registration certificate, and a photocopy of an Aadhaar card. Officials confirmed the weight includes the plastic packaging. A manhunt is now underway to find the driver.
A police official stated, "Police have launched an investigation to trace those involved and ascertain the origin and intended destination of the suspected contraband."
Comments