Manipur Police seized 49.5 kg of suspected opium concealed inside a sports utility vehicle (SUV) after its driver abandoned the vehicle while fleeing a police checkpoint along National Highway-2 in Senapati district early Sunday morning.
According to police, the operation was carried out at around 6 a.m. by a joint team of the Special Operations Team (SOT), Senapati, and Hengbung Police Outpost during a frisking and checking drive at the T. Khullen NAKA checkpoint on NH-2.
Police said a white Hyundai Creta travelling from Imphal towards Senapati was signalled to stop for inspection. However, the driver ignored the signal and sped towards Senapati, prompting the SOT team to pursue the vehicle while alerting personnel at Hengbung Police Outpost.
The vehicle was later found abandoned with its key intact below Hengbung Baptist Church along NH-2. Despite an intensive search, the driver could not be traced.
The abandoned vehicle was taken to the T. Khullen NAKA checkpoint for a detailed examination. During the search, police recovered 49 packets of suspected opium weighing 49.500 kg, including the plastic packaging, concealed in specially made compartments beneath the vehicle’s floor.
Police identified the vehicle as bearing registration number NL-07CE-0841, registered in the name of Z. Reithingam (52), son of Shanghei Zingkhai of Kamphasom, Ukhrul district, Manipur, presently residing at Kukidolong Village in Chümoukedima district, Nagaland.
The seized items include the 49 packets of suspected opium, the Hyundai Creta, its registration certificate (RC), the vehicle key, and a photocopy of an Aadhaar card in the name of the registered owner.
All seized items have been handed over to Senapati Police Station for registration of a case and further legal action. Police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the driver and ascertain the source and intended destination of the contraband.
