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High-Octane Crackdown: Manipur Police Arrest Ganja Traffickers, Seize Narcotics & Arms


The Big Bust at Mao Gate: 22 kg of Ganja Seized

Who Were the Culprits?

On the evening of July 9, at Mao Gate—a critical checkpoint between Imphal and Senapati—police detained two 19-year-olds: Ajmir Sarif and Iliyas Ali Shah, both from Thoubal district.

  • Commodity: 18 tightly wrapped packets of ganja.
  • Weight: Approximately 22 kg.
  • Value: An estimated ₹2.18 lakh on the local market.
  • Vehicle: A white Winger van (registration AS 23CC-1074) used for transport

Think about it: that’s like busting a caravan carrying dozens of shopping bags, except each bag hides a high-grade narcotic ready to fuel addiction or organized crime.

Calculated Moves

This arrest wasn’t luck—it was precision:

  1. Surveillance & Informant Tips: Local informants flagged unusual van movements.
  2. Check-Post Vigilance: Officers examined suspicious vehicles beyond routine document checks.
  3. Concealment Patterns: Hidden compartments under seat cushions gave away the stash.

By targeting transport hubs like Mao Gate, the police disrupted a pivotal node in the smuggling network.


From Extortion to Arms: The KCP (PWG) Cadre Arrest

Who is Shyamchand Singh?

In a separate operation that same day, Imphal West police apprehended 38-year-old Shyamchand Singh—a cadre of the outlawed KCP (PWG)—at Lamphel Super Market.

  • Allegation: Extortion rackets in Bishnupur and Thoubal districts.
  • Modus Operandi: Threatening local businesses for “protection money.”

Here’s the kicker: insurgent outfits often rely on extortion to bankroll weapons and logistics. By cutting off these revenue streams, the state undermines the insurgency’s backbone.


Highway Sting: Heroin-intercept Operation at Tupul Bridge

The Narrow Escape of Narcotics

Later on July 9, a joint team of Manipur Police and the CRPF stopped a four-wheeler at Tupul bridge—a scenic, yet strategic crossing on NH-2. What they found inside?

  • 196 soap cases (each box the size of a shoebox) of suspected heroin.
  • Total Weight: 2.193 kg of brown sugar–type heroin (excluding packaging).
  • Detainees: Ginminlen Haokip (Kangpokpi) and Holminlen Khongsai (Chandel)

Imagine spotting a small stream of liquid dripping into a reservoir—what seems minor initially can swell into a flood of addiction crises. Even a few kilos of heroin can destroy dozens of lives and fund serious crime.

Coordination at Its Best

  • Checkpoints at bridges and chokepoints amplify detection.
  • Joint Patrols between state police and central forces pool resources.
  • Technical Aids like sniffer dogs or handheld drug detectors speed searches.

5. Deep Dives: Arms, Explosives & Contraband Recovery

Bishnupur Cache

In villages between Dopkon and Nganukon, search teams discovered:

  • A .303 Light Machine Gun.
  • Two single-barrel firearms.
  • Seven live 12-bore cartridges.
  • Four IEDs weighing nearly 3.9 kg total

Moirang Arsenal

In Uyungmakhong under Moirang PS:

  • An AK-56 rifle with empty magazine.
  • A .303 rifle plus magazine.
  • A double-barrel gun.
  • 10 live .303 rounds and 10 rounds of 7.62 mm

Let’s put this in perspective—these weapons can tip the balance in insurgent skirmishes. Recovering them is akin to removing the predator’s claws, making the state safer for civilians.


6. Tackling Vehicle Crime: The Honda Activa Recovery

Chasing “Boboy”

Only two days after a snatching on July 5, police raided the residence of Md. Hefajuddin (alias “Boboy”), a known vehicle lifter in Santhel Awang Leikai under Mayang Imphal PS.

  • Outcome: He escaped, but the stolen Honda Activa 6G (registration MN 06SF-9963) was recovered
  • Next Steps: Formal return to the owner; ongoing hunt for “Boboy.”

Vehicle theft rings often feed into larger cycles of crime—transporting contraband, facilitating escape routes, or being sold off to fund illicit activity. Disrupting these rings constricts multiple criminal pathways.


7. Beyond Narcotics: Traffic Enforcement & Fines

On July 9, police didn’t stop at arrests:

  • 14 challans issued for traffic violations, raising ₹10,000 in fines.
  • Tinted film removals on 13 vehicles during a special enforcement drive

Think of it this way: by enforcing mundane laws—seat belts, valid lights, permissible tints—police create constant checkpoints that can also catch bigger crimes. It’s like fishing with a net that picks up both minnows and sharks.


Final Thoughts

Cracking down on ganja traffickers, heroin haulers, extortionists, and arms smugglers in one sweep isn’t just a headline—it’s a statement of intent. Manipur’s security forces have shown they can play the long game, blending intelligence, field raids, and community trust-building. Yet the terrain—both physical and socio-political—remains complex. The key lies in persistence: each arrest, each seizure, each fine contributes a brick to the fortress of law and order.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much ganja was seized and who were the offenders?
Authorities recovered 22 kg of ganja at the Mao Gate check post, arresting Ajmir Sarif and Iliyas Ali Shah, both aged 19, from Thoubal district

2. What insurgent-linked arrest took place on July 9?
A cadre of the banned KCP (PWG), 38-year-old Shyamchand Singh, was arrested in Imphal West for extortion activities across Bishnupur and Thoubal districts

3. How was heroin intercepted at Tupul bridge?
A joint Manipur Police–CRPF team stopped a four-wheeler at Tupul bridge, finding 196 soap cases of suspected heroin, totaling 2.193 kg, and detained two men from Kangpokpi and Chandel

4. What arms and explosives were recovered?
Searches in Bishnupur and Moirang uncovered a .303 LMG, AK-56 rifle, single- and double-barrel guns, IEDs (3.9 kg), and live rounds of .303 and 7.62 mm ammunition

5. Why did police issue traffic challans amid a narcotics crackdown?
Enforcing traffic laws (14 challans, ₹10,000 fines; removal of 13 tinted films) acts as routine checkpoints, helping detect larger crimes and maintain overall lawfulness


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