Imphal, 05 June (HS): In a major anti-narcotics operation, a joint team of security forces seized four lakh Yaba tablets valued at approximately ₹47 crore in Manipur's Jiribam district and arrested a truck driver from Bihar for alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

According to an official statement issued on Friday, the operation was carried out on Thursday afternoon at Leingangpokpi area of Jiribam district following specific intelligence inputs. The joint team, comprising the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and India Reserve Battalion (IRB), intercepted a Tata goods truck and conducted a thorough search.

During the search, security personnel recovered 4,00,000 Yaba tablets that had allegedly been concealed inside the vehicle for transportation and distribution. The driver of the truck was taken into custody at the spot in connection with the seizure.

The recovered contraband and the vehicle have been handed over to the concerned authorities for further legal proceedings and investigation.

Senior police officials described the seizure as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown against illicit drug trafficking in Manipur. They said the operation has dealt a major blow to networks involved in the movement of narcotics through the state.

Security agencies, including the Assam Rifles and Jiribam Police, have been conducting sustained anti-drug operations across Manipur as part of broader efforts to curb narcotics smuggling in the Northeast region.

Police sources said an investigation has been launched to trace the origin of the seized consignment, identify its intended destination and uncover other individuals linked to the trafficking network.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash