Imphal, Jan 12: Security forces in Manipur have arrested three suspected drug traffickers and seized a large consignment of yaba tablets during a targeted checkpoint operation in Tengnoupal district, police officials said on January 12. The operation was carried out based on specific intelligence inputs pointing to the movement of narcotics through the border district.
According to police, the arrests were made after a vehicle was intercepted in the Tengnoupal police station area. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 5.89 kg of yaba tablets, a tablet-based form of methamphetamine. The seized drugs are estimated to be worth more than Rs 1 crore in the illicit market, indicating a significant attempt to smuggle narcotics through the region.
The arrested individuals have been identified as James Baite (28), Hatneikim Baite (50) and David T Mate (41). All three were taken into custody at the spot, and legal proceedings have been initiated against them under relevant sections of the law.
Yaba, which translates to “crazy medicine” in Thai, is a highly addictive stimulant widely abused in parts of Southeast Asia. International agencies note that the drug was originally developed during World War II to enhance soldiers’ endurance, but has since become a major component of transnational drug trafficking networks.
Police said further investigation is underway to trace the source of the seized narcotics and to determine whether the accused are linked to larger cross-border drug syndicates operating in the region.
