Manipur: Two Arrested with Heroin in Kakching
On August 23, 2025, a joint operation by the Narcotics Affairs and Border Police (NAB) together with Kakching district police intercepted a three-wheeler at Pallel Thongwangma on NH-102 and arrested two men — Hidayatullah (27) and Muhammad Islamuddin Khan (45) — who were allegedly smuggling heroin from Moreh. Police recovered three soap cases containing approximately 47 grams of heroin and the auto-rickshaw used for transport; an FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2023, and investigations are ongoing.
What happened — the facts as reported
Here’s the straight news: intelligence led NAB and Kakching police to intercept a three-wheeler traveling from Moreh (the border town along the Indo-Myanmar frontier) toward Mao. At Pallel Thongwangma along NH-102, officers searched the vehicle and found three soap cases containing heroin powder — roughly 47 grams in total — and the auto-rickshaw the suspects were using. The arrested men have been named as Hidayatullah, 27, and Muhammad Islamuddin Khan, 45; both are residents of Moreh area wards in Tengnoupal district. The case has been registered under the NDPS (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the goods plus suspects were taken to Kakching police station for further probe.
FAQs
Q1: How serious is a 47-gram heroin seizure under Indian law?
A1: Legally, intent, context, and statutory thresholds matter. While small amounts may suggest local distribution, authorities can and do file cases under the NDPS Act. The Act’s amendments give broader powers for investigation and tougher penalties if evidence shows trafficking or conspiratorial activity.
Q2: Why do smugglers use items like soap cases?
A2: Smugglers prefer inconspicuous items that blend into daily life. Soap cases are cheap, common, and visually unremarkable — helpful when trying to avoid cursory checks. However, routine and intelligence-led searches by police can still uncover such concealments.
Q3: Is Moreh a common entry point for drugs into Manipur?
A3: Yes. Moreh is a border town on the Indo-Myanmar frontier and serves as a transit hub. Multiple seizures and operations indicate traffickers exploit border connectivity to move consignments into interior districts.
Q4: Will small seizures like this lead to arrests of bigger players?
A4: They can — if investigations recover actionable intelligence (phone links, financial trails, or confessions). Small seizures sometimes reveal courier networks, which in turn point to higher-level operatives. The key is how effectively authorities follow leads
Q5: What should local residents do if they suspect trafficking activity?
A5: Report suspicious movement to local police or NAB, preserve any evidence (photos, timestamps), and cooperate with authorities while ensuring personal safety. Community cooperation often provides the tips that spark successful operations.
