IMPHAL, May 29: A team of the Narcotic and Affairs of Border arrested three persons along with 25 kilograms of Ephedrine power worth Rs 50 lakhs reportedly in the grey market . The arrested persons along with the seized drug were produced before media persons today at the office of the Narcotic and Affairs of Border.
Police identified the arrested persons as Md Latif Ali (47), son of (L) Md Ahamed of Thoubal Moijing Thongkhong , Md Wahab alias Feroz Khan (32), son of Md Ninaruddin of Moirang Palli in Thoubal district and presently staying at Hatta near Baptist Church and Md Abdul Wakil (28), son of Md Amu of Hatta near Public Hospital.
Speaking to the media persons, Inspector R K Bikramjit, Officer in charge of NAB said that after receiving specific information of illegal drugs being smuggled in between Langol village to Kanchup Road, a team of NAB under the supervision of Issak Shah, Superintendent of Police of NAB and led by the OC himself rushed to Langol Game village Road.
The NAB team stationed in front of the Central Agriculture University gate saw one grey Maruti car bearing registration number WB-02R-1221 moving in a suspicious manner toward the Uripok -Kanchup Road, he further said.
The NAB personnel signaled the speeding car to stop for checking, he said.
On checking the car, one white color plastic fertilizer bag was found in the rear seat of the car which at first looked like manure or salt, he said.
When inquired, the occupants answered that it was manure, the police officer said.
However, as the team suspected it to be otherwise, the bag was tested and found positive results of ephedrine content.
The three persons along with the banned drug were then arrested, he said.
The three arrested persons were trying to smuggle it to Moreh where it would be used for manufacturing “world is yours” (W/Y) tablets and Heroin also known as number 4,” the Inspector said.
A FIR case has been taken up against the three arrested persons. According to the Inspector, the estimated cost of the seized 25 Kg ephedrine is worth 50 lahks in the grey market.
He also appealed the general public to inform the nearest police station or to his office if anyone finds anything suspicious of containing illegal drugs.