Five Arrested in Major Meth Bust in Manipur
A joint operation by Manipur Police, CRPF and BSF on August 23, 2025 led to the arrest of five people and the seizure of over 2.3 kg of methamphetamine (WY) tablets, along with vehicles, mobile phones, cash records, and 120 empty plastic containers believed linked to trafficking. The arrested have been identified by police and at least two are known to be repeat offenders with past arrests in Assam; investigations are ongoing.
Intelligence and planning: Local police, assisted by CRPF and BSF, received actionable intelligence about trafficking activity in Lilong and Kyamgei areas. This is the kind of tip that often arrives after months of surveillance, tips from informants, or following suspicious financial flows.
Raids and arrests (August 23, 2025): Teams executed coordinated searches at multiple residences. As a result, five persons were arrested: Md. Mustakim (39) of Lilong Ushoipokpi Tharaorok; Md. Arif (20) of the same area; Md. Ajit (32) of Lilong Makha Leikai; Mrs. Ruhima (26) (wife of Ajit); and Md. Baboy alias Yahiya Khan (35) of Kyamgei Mamang Leikai.
Seizures: The teams recovered 2.27 kg of WY tablets from Mustakim’s residence and 45 grams from Baboy’s residence; they also confiscated six mobile phones, multiple account ledgers and diaries, two vehicles used in trafficking (a Duster and an Alto), and 120 empty plastic containers — the kind of materials used for repackaging. All of this points to an operation more complex than simple street dealing
Follow-up and evidence collection: Seized phones, ledgers and vehicles become critical evidence: call logs, bank records, travel routes, and ledgers can reveal upstream suppliers or downstream sellers. Police have indicated further investigation is ongoing.
Who were the arrested — repeat offenders and what that signals
Two names in the police statement are especially notable because of their criminal histories: Md. Mustakim, who was arrested in Guwahati in 2022 for transporting a large heroin consignment and released on bail in January 2025; and Md. Baboy (Yahiya Khan), arrested in Guwahati in 2020 for trafficking 7,000 WY tablets and released on bail in 2023. That history is important for two reasons:
FAQs
Q1: How big is 2.3 kg of meth in practical terms?
It’s not an industrial-size haul, but because synthetic tablets are potent and command high street value, even a few kilograms can supply large numbers of users and fund networks. Its seizure indicates a functioning distribution cell in the area
Q2: Why do traffickers use multiple phones and empty containers?
Multiple phones segment roles (organizers, transporters, sellers) and help avoid tracing. Empty containers are used to repackage shipments into smaller lots for resale, easing distribution. Evidence from seized ledgers and phones can expose entire networks.
Q3: Two suspects had prior arrests — why weren’t they monitored after release?
This varies case-by-case, but often monitoring is limited by resources and legal frameworks. Strengthening post-release supervision and linking rehabilitation with monitoring are policy gaps that need attention.
Q4: What happens to seized vehicles and cash in such cases?
They’re held as evidence and may be subject to forfeiture procedures if courts conclude they were instrumental to criminal activity. Vehicles can be critical leads for tracing routes and partners.
Q5: How can local communities help combat trafficking?
Report suspicious movements, support youth engagement programs, and push for health-oriented addiction services. Community pressure also helps authorities prioritize follow-up investigations. Civil society partnerships are essential for prevention.
