Troops of the 78 Battalion CRPF, in coordination with the Civil Police of Sechu Zubza Police Station, seized 14.312 kilograms of suspected opium on May 23, 2025, during a routine frisking and checking operation on NH-29 at the old police picket in Peducha. The narcotics were recovered from a Tata Winger (registration MN-06B-1350) traveling from Senapati, Manipur, to Dimapur.
Dharam Singh, a resident of Ludhiana, Punjab, who boarded the vehicle in Senapati, was identified as the suspected owner. During the checking, Singh asked to relieve himself and was permitted to step aside. Moments later, he attempted to escape into nearby hills but was chased and apprehended by CRPF personnel after a 500-metre pursuit.
Upon inspection of his black Safari trolley and olive-green bag, two black polythene-wrapped packets, two khaini containers, and a small packet—each containing suspected opium—were found, along with Rs 56,500 in cash.
The suspected opium was weighed in the presence of a magistrate and confirmed at 14.312 kg. Singh and the recovered items were handed over to Sechu Zubza Police for further legal action.