Silchar: Six suspected drug smugglers were arrested and narcotics worth Rs 27.28 crore seized during a joint operation by Assam Rifles and Borobekra police on the Barak river in Manipur’s Jiribam district, officials said on Thursday.The operation was launched around midnight in the Tupidhar area after Assam Rifles personnel spotted a country boat moving suspiciously across the river.When ordered to stop, the six occupants allegedly jumped into the river and tried to escape. Despite poor visibility and difficult terrain, security personnel pursued them, blocked possible escape routes and apprehended all six.A search of the boat led to the recovery of 90,000 Yaba tablets, weighing 9.414kg and valued at around Rs 27 crore. The joint team also seized 48 grams of heroin packed in four soap cases and estimated to be worth Rs 28.8 lakh.Six mobile phones, four side bags and the country boat allegedly used to transport the contraband were also seized.Officials suspect the consignment was transported from Mizoram to Assam through the Barak river route.The suspects, along with the seized drugs and other items, were handed over to Borobekra police.
