IMPHAL, Feb 24:
A Colonel-ranked Defence PRO and five others were today arrested by Manipur police after they were allegedly caught carrying illicit drugs valued at Rs 15 crore meant to be smuggled out to Myanmar, in one of the biggest such hauls in the State.
The contraband was found in three vehicles at Pallel in Chandel district, State police said here, adding they had taken into custody Defence PRO Colonel Ajay Chaudhary, his assistant R K Babalu, Indigo assistant manager Brojendro Singh, besides three others.
“Colonel Ajay Chaudhary has been arrested this morning by the Manipur police along with five other persons. We have been made to believe that certain contrabands have been recovered,” Army Spokesperson Colonel Jagdeep Dahiya said in Delhi.
The Army promised strict disciplinary action if any personnel were found involved in the case.
“We would like to state this much that if he is found guilty as per the law of the land, strict disciplinary action will be taken against him,” Dahiya said, adding “we will get involved in the process when we are formally approached”.
A Defence Ministry spokesman also said in Delhi that once a formal report into the incident come to the department, appropriate action will be taken against the officer.
The six were interrogated at Pallel police station, about 45 kms south-east of here, police said, adding that a case has been registered and they will taken to Kakshing police station in Thoubal district. However, they did not specify the Sections under which they have been arrested.
The drugs included tablets of Respifed, Omkop, Hilcold, Polyfed and Actidin and were worth Rs 15 crore, they said, adding it was one of the biggest drug hauls in the State. (PTI)
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