Imphal, Sept. 4 -- Assam Rifles, in coordination with Manipur police, arrested five alleged drug smugglers, including a woman, and seized 2 kilograms of brown sugar, a heroin derivative, valued at approximately Rs 8 crore in the international drug trade, officials said on Thursday.

The operation was carried out on Wednesday at 1:30 AM at the Tadubi police station checkpost along National Highway-102, connecting Nagaland.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team from the Tadubi police station, Senapati, and the 16 Assam Rifles intercepted two Gypsy vehicles carrying 187 soap cases of brown sugar hidden on their rooftops. The arrests and seizure were conducted in the presence of an Executive Magistrate, following all formal procedures.

The arre...