Assam man arrested with 5.21 kg of brown sugar in Manipur's Jiribam

A 42-year-old man from Assam was arrested after police allegedly recovered 5.21 kg of brown sugar from a vehicle in Manipur's Jiribam district, officials said on Saturday, Aug 1.

The accused, identified as Bhima Panika, a resident of Panika Basti in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, was apprehended during a vehicle check at Leingangpokpi under Jiribam police station, near the Assam-Manipur border adjoining Cachar district.

According to police, the four-wheeler was intercepted during a routine operation, and a subsequent search led to the recovery of the suspected contraband concealed inside the vehicle.

Panika was taken into custody, and the vehicle used for transporting the narcotics was also seized.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to ascertain the source of the brown sugar and its intended destination. Authorities are also probing whether the accused was part of a larger drug trafficking network.