Manipur drug bust: 5 peddlers held, Myanmar-origin opium and brown sugar seized
Synopsis
Three coordinated anti-narcotics operations in Manipur on 23 July netted five alleged drug peddlers — including a suspected major supplier and a woman — along with Myanmar-origin opium and brown sugar worth nearly ₹1.72 crore combined. The busts underscore the scale of cross-border trafficking through Manipur's 400 km unfenced border with Myanmar, one of the world's top opium-producing regions.
Key Takeaways
Five alleged drug peddlers arrested in Manipur on 23 July across three separate operations.
A joint Manipur Police and NCB team nabbed Nengjatuan alias Tuanpi , reportedly a major narcotics supplier wanted under multiple NDPS Act cases.
3.66 kg of suspected opium worth approximately ₹22 lakh seized near Mantripukhri Bazar , Imphal East.
1.6 kg of suspected brown sugar worth over ₹1.5 crore recovered from Tinnei Thadou (52) in Churachandpur.
Contraband traced to Myanmar , which shares an approximately 400 km unfenced border with Manipur.
112 nakas currently operational across Manipur's valley and hill districts as part of the broader security clampdown.
Security forces in Manipur arrested five alleged drug peddlers — including a suspected key narcotics supplier and a woman — across separate anti-narcotics operations on Thursday, 23 July, seizing substantial quantities of Myanmar-origin opium and brown sugar, according to officials. The crackdown, spanning Churachandpur and Imphal East districts, marks the latest in a sustained offensive against cross-border drug trafficking networks in the state.
Key Arrests and Seizures
A joint team of the Manipur Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested Nengjatuan alias Tuanpi from a hotel in Churachandpur district, which shares an unfenced international border with Myanmar. According to officials, the accused is allegedly a major drug supplier wanted in multiple cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 by the NCB, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and the Manipur Police.
In a separate operation around Mantripukhri Bazar in Imphal East district, security forces seized 3.66 kg of suspected opium valued at approximately ₹22 lakh and detained three individuals: Anil Das (75), Roshan Basnet (48), and Goma Karki (33), all residents of different districts across Manipur.
Woman Arrested With Brown Sugar Worth Over ₹1.5 Crore
In the third operation, the Manipur Police arrested Tinnei Thadou (52), a resident of the Sugnu area in Chandel district, from the Songja Khopi village area in Churachandpur. Approximately 1.6 kg of suspected brown sugar, valued at more than ₹1.5 crore, was recovered from her possession.
The Myanmar Connection
Preliminary investigations indicate that the seized contraband originated from Myanmar, which shares an approximately 400 km unfenced border with Manipur. Myanmar's northern regions — particularly Kachin and Shan states — remain among the world's largest producers of opium, making the porous border a persistent vulnerability for Indian law enforcement. This latest seizure is part of a series of major crackdowns on Myanmar-linked trafficking networks operating in the state over recent months.
Broader Security Situation in Manipur
Beyond the drug operations, security forces comprising both Central and state units have maintained extensive area domination exercises in fringe, mixed-populated, and vulnerable zones across Manipur. A total of 112 nakas (checkpoints) have been established in both valley and hill districts to restrict the movement of militants and suspicious vehicles.
Convoy protection and security escorts for trucks carrying essential commodities continue along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). The Manipur Police have also urged citizens to disregard rumours and exercise caution regarding fake videos circulating on social media platforms.
With cross-border trafficking networks showing resilience despite repeated busts, the effectiveness of the enforcement surge will depend on sustained inter-agency coordination and progress on border fencing — a long-pending infrastructure gap.
Point of View
Including of 'key suppliers,' have not demonstrably disrupted the supply chain, suggesting trafficking networks are adaptive and layered. The real accountability question is the pace of border fencing and whether inter-agency intelligence — NCB, DRI, and state police — is being systematically shared or remains siloed. Without structural fixes, enforcement surges risk becoming a revolving door.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drug peddlers were arrested in Manipur on 23 July 2025?
Security forces arrested five alleged drug peddlers across three separate anti-narcotics operations in Manipur on 23 July. The accused include a suspected major narcotics supplier, three individuals caught with opium, and a woman found with brown sugar.
What drugs were seized in the Manipur operations?
Security forces seized 3.66 kg of suspected opium valued at approximately ₹22 lakh and 1.6 kg of suspected brown sugar valued at more than ₹1.5 crore. Both consignments were traced to Myanmar, according to preliminary investigations.
Who is Nengjatuan alias Tuanpi?
Nengjatuan alias Tuanpi is the individual arrested by a joint Manipur Police and NCB team from a hotel in Churachandpur. Officials allege he is a major drug supplier wanted in multiple cases under the NDPS Act, 1985, registered by the NCB, DRI, and Manipur Police.
Why is Manipur a major route for drug trafficking?
Manipur shares an approximately 400 km unfenced international border with Myanmar, whose northern Kachin and Shan states are among the world's largest opium-producing regions. The porous border, combined with ongoing ethnic conflict limiting administrative reach, makes the state a significant transit corridor for narcotics.
What broader security measures are in place in Manipur?
Beyond drug operations, security forces have set up 112 nakas (checkpoints) across valley and hill districts and are conducting area domination exercises in vulnerable zones. Convoy protection continues along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) to ensure safe movement of essential commodities.
