In a major anti-narcotics operation, security forces intercepted a vehicle masquerading as an Army officer’s car and seized 15.35 kilograms of suspected opium concealed inside a specially built compartment at T. Khullen in Senapati district on Sunday.
The seizure was made around 9 a.m. during a joint frisking and checking operation conducted by the Special Operations Team (SOT) of Senapati Police, D-78 CRPF, B-109 QAT CRPF and 16 Assam Rifles under the supervision of Senapati Superintendent of Police, Zaib Shaikh, IPS.
According to police, an Innova vehicle bearing registration number AS23AK5541, fitted with a VIP flag post and displaying insignia associated with an Army Brigadier, was stopped for verification. The vehicle was being driven alone by Tarkeshwar Singh, 45, a resident of Hijuguri Gaon in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
Security personnel became suspicious after noticing that the vehicle, despite displaying military insignia, was travelling without any official escort. A thorough search led to the discovery of 17 packets of suspected opium weighing 15.350 kg concealed inside a hidden compartment beneath the rear right door.
Investigators also recovered a nameplate bearing the words “ARMY” on one side and “MINISTRY OF DEFENCE” on the other. Preliminary verification established that neither the vehicle nor the driver had any connection with the Army. Police said the accused had allegedly used the military insignia and nameplate to evade security checks while transporting the contraband.
The driver was arrested on the spot in the presence of an Executive Magistrate. Besides the opium, authorities seized the Innova vehicle, two mobile phones, a wallet containing Rs 5,000 in cash, a PAN card and a voter identity card.
A case has been registered at Senapati Police Station under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and intended destination of the seized narcotics, as well as any wider network involved in the smuggling operation.