Imphal, July 13 -- A joint team of Manipur Police and central security forces seized around 49.5 kg of suspected opium after intercepting an abandoned SUV near Hengbung village in Senapati district on National Highway-2, officials said.

The seizure followed an early morning chase on July 12 after a Nagaland-registered Hyundai Creta allegedly ignored a police checkpoint and fled.

According to police, the incident took place around 6 am while personnel from Senapati Police and the Hengbung Outpost were conducting routine vehicle checks at the T Khullen checkpoint. The white SUV, which was travelling from Imphal towards Nagaland, failed to stop despite being signalled by the security personnel.

Police immediately launched a pursuit and al...