IMPHAL, September 8: The three parcels which were denied verification by Air India authorities supposed to have contained drugs have been opened by SIU sleuths today.
The information received by Police of the drug consignment has turned out to be true as nearly 26,000 strips of pseudo ephedrine were found inside the suspected parcels.
It may be mentioned here that the SIU, led by Inspector K Ranjit had tried to verify the truth of his informant by conducting a raid yesterday at Tulihal Airport.
Even as the police team tried to carry out their duty yesterday, their progress was hindered by the Air India official’s especially Station Manager, Panganbam Nilakamal.
The Air India official had a heated argument with the SIU official regarding the content of the parcels. It was mentioned by Nilakamal that the parcel may belong to VIPs.
It may be mentioned here that the drug syndicate operating in the state has political patronage, according to sources.
A main kingpin behind the illegal operations is said to be someone having close relations ship to a elected Congress elite. Hence, the investigations of the police have never resulted in any substantial arrest. Whereas , the shipment of drugs arrives via air cargo many times in a week.
The cartel has also bought co-operation of various officials who are involved in checking and transportation of air cargo.
It may be remembered that the Station Manager of the Air India head office located at Paona Bazar had tried to thwart the police investigation procedure yesterday.
Pseudo ephedrine is said to be a main catalyst in making ‘Party Drugs’ like Ecstasy at underground drug labs at Mayanmar. Sources further mentioned that the tablets are opened from the strips and in small packages sent to Mayanmar.
The drugs found inside the parcels have a name of C-U – Kuf tablets. The said name of the drugs are fictitious and manufactured in clandestine drug labs operation in the northern part of the country.