Imphal, Jan. 29 -- Manipur Police arrested one suspected raw opium smuggler and recovered 13.2 kgs of contraband items in an operation conducted near a temple in Imphal west district on Tuesday, officials said.

The arrest and seizure came at a time when the Government imposed the ban because of the harmful effects of opium - which is taken from the poppy seed capsules illegally and persistently cultivated in the unfrequented hill areas of the state.

A police report said that altogether, 2.03 kilograms of raw opium locally known as Kani worth around Rs 20 lakhs in the regional market, a four-wheeler, and a mobile handset, have been recovered from the possession of the alleged smuggler.

Upon receiving intelligence input that some anti-so...