Fake Army car used to smuggle 15.35 kg opium in Manipur; one arrested: Police

Fake Army Car Smuggled 15.35 kg Opium in Manipur: One Arrested

Fake Army car used to smuggle 15 – In a recent operation, authorities in Manipur’s Senapati district uncovered a smuggling attempt involving a fake army car, which was used to transport 15.35 kg of opium. The vehicle, identified as AS23AK 5541, was intercepted at T Khellen check-post on Sunday, leading to the arrest of the driver, Tarkeshwar Singh (45) from Hijuguri Gaon in Tinsukia district, Assam. This incident highlights how smugglers exploit the appearance of official vehicles to bypass security checks and move contraband undetected.

The intercepted vehicle bore the insignia of an Army Brigadier, complete with a VIP flag post and one star emblem. However, it lacked an escort, raising immediate suspicion among the officers conducting the search. A joint team of the Senapati Operation Team (SOT), D-78 CRPF, B-109 QAT CRPF, and 16 Assam Rifles, supervised by Senapati superintendent of police Zaib Shaikh, inspected the car and discovered the opium packets concealed beneath the rear right door. This discovery was made possible by the meticulous work of the police, who emphasized that the vehicle’s design was deliberately crafted to mimic an army car used for smuggling.

“The fake army car used to smuggle the opium was equipped with nameplates displaying ‘ARMY’ on one side and ‘MINISTRY OF DEFENCE’ on the other. These were intended to deceive inspectors and create an illusion of authenticity,” stated an officer during the press briefing. The driver’s attempt to impersonate a military vehicle underscores the growing sophistication of smuggling methods in the region.

During the inspection, police found 17 packets of opium, totaling approximately 15.35 kg, hidden in a compartment of the vehicle. The absence of an escort and the vehicle’s VIP markings were key indicators that prompted the search. Officers confirmed that neither the car nor the driver was affiliated with the army, stating that the fake army car used to smuggle the narcotics was a deliberate tactic to evade detection. This case is a stark reminder of how criminals exploit military symbols to bypass security checkpoints and transport large quantities of drugs.

Details of the Smuggling Operation

The operation revealed that the smugglers had meticulously planned their route to avoid surveillance. The vehicle’s registration number, AS23AK 5541, was linked to the driver, who was found in possession of additional items including two mobile phones, ₹5,000 in cash, a PAN card, and a voter ID. These items were seized along with the opium as part of the evidence. The police’s quick action and thorough investigation have disrupted a potential major smuggling network, according to officials.

Following the seizure, the accused was detained on-site, and the case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Senapati police station. The ongoing investigation aims to trace the origin of the opium and identify any accomplices involved in the fake army car used to smuggle the drugs. The police have urged citizens to remain vigilant, as such operations often rely on the chaos of traffic and the trust in military vehicles to proceed unnoticed.

Impact on Manipur’s Drug Trade

This incident is part of a larger trend of opium smuggling in Manipur, where the region has become a key transit point for drugs moving from northeastern states to other parts of India. The use of a fake army car used to smuggle the opium is a common strategy, as it allows traffickers to bypass checkpoints that typically target civilian vehicles. Authorities have expressed concern over the increasing number of such operations, which threaten to destabilize the local economy and public safety.

Opium, a highly addictive substance, is primarily sourced from the northeastern regions and transported through porous borders. The police’s interception of this vehicle has not only prevented a large-scale smuggling attempt but also sent a strong message to potential offenders. The case also serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent checks at border areas, especially when dealing with vehicles that mimic official insignias. With further investigation, the fake army car used to smuggle 15.35 kg of opium may lead to the exposure of a broader network engaged in drug trafficking.