Security forces on Sunday seized 15.35 kg of suspected opium hidden in a car carrying fake military credentials and arrested the driver during a search and search in Senapati district of Manipur, officers confirmed.
The arrested driver has been identified as Tarkeshwar Singh (45) of Hijoguri Gaon in Tinsukia district of Assam.
According to the police statement, the seizure was carried out at 9 am while inspection and checking was being carried out at Te Khalin check post by a joint team of Senapati Operations Team (SOT), D-78 CRPF, B-109 QAT CRPF and 16 Assam Rifles under the supervision of Senapati Superintendent of Police Dhib Sheikh.
Officers said a car bearing registration number AS23AK 5541, equipped with a VIP tag and traveling without an escort vehicle, was intercepted for verification.
During the search, the police said, “The vehicle bore the insignia of the Army Brigadier (VIP flag and one star). A plate with ‘ARMY’ on one side and ‘Ministry of Defence’ on the other side was also found inside the vehicle.”
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Police said suspicions arose when the car was driving without any security. Upon searching the car, the police found “17 opium boxes weighing approximately 15.35 kilograms” hidden in a compartment under the right rear door of the vehicle.
The police confirmed that the car and driver did not belong to the army. “Tarkeshwar used the army badge and nameplate only to evade police search,” the officer said.
The accused was arrested on the ground, and the arrest process was carried out in the presence of the Executive Investigating Judge.
In addition to the suspected opium, the car was found along with its key, number plate and two mobile phones. $5,000 cash, PAN card and voter ID card were seized from his possession, officers said.
A case has been registered at Senapati police station under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act. Police said further investigations are underway.
