Imphal: In a significant crackdown amid Manipur’s ongoing 21-month-long crisis, state police seized 10.565 kilograms of heroin powder worth over Rs 21 crore in the international market and arrested three drug peddlers, including a couple. The key accused, KP Jacob, was intercepted along National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) while allegedly transporting the contraband in a Bolero vehicle. Two other smugglers M Joshou, accompanied by his wife, J Vasti were also arrested with huge consignment of drugs.
Interception and seizure
Acting on intelligence about drug trafficking, a team from Sekmai Police, under the supervision of the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West, conducted a frisking operation near the Sekmai Police Station gate. The officers stopped two vehicles—a Bolero and a Tata Harrier—for inspection.
KP Jacob, the Bolero driver and a resident of Maiba Village, Senapati District, reportedly confessed to carrying narcotics. A thorough search, conducted in the presence of an executive magistrate and independent witnesses, uncovered 461 soap cases of heroin powder concealed in the vehicle’s roof. A Mobile Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team later confirmed the substance as heroin.
Couple’s role as lookouts
Further interrogation revealed that the Tata Harrier was driven by M Joshou, accompanied by his wife, J Vasti, both from Laii Village, Senapati District. The couple allegedly acted as an advance team, scouting for police checkpoints along NH-102 to ensure safe passage for the drug consignment. They reportedly admitted to being assigned this role by Ismail, another individual from their village.
Second vehicle with more heroin
Based on Joshou’s statements, police located another Bolero parked at Emoinu Leirak, Paomei Colony, Imphal West District. The key was retrieved from Ng Vithai, a local resident who claimed Ismail had instructed him to watch over the vehicle. A search revealed 419 additional soap cases of heroin hidden in its roof.
Modus operandi and payments
During questioning, KP Jacob disclosed that he was contacted by a woman named Lily Hmar from Dimapur to transport the drugs. He allegedly received the Bolero early Tuesday morning from an unidentified person at his home in Senapati before driving to Pallel, where he exchanged it for the drug-laden vehicle. Jacob was promised Rs 20,000 for the job.
Meanwhile, Joshou admitted that the second Bolero was driven by Ismail, who paid him and his wife Rs 5,000 plus fuel expenses for acting as lookouts.
All three arrested individuals—KP Jacob, M Joshou, and J Vasti—along with the seized heroin, have been handed over to authorities for further legal proceedings. Police are intensifying efforts to track down Ismail and Lily Hmar, believed to be key players in the smuggling network.
This bust marks one of the largest drug seizures in Manipur in recent months, highlighting the growing nexus between organized crime and the state’s prolonged unrest. Authorities have vowed to continue stringent operations to curb drug trafficking in the region.
