Imphal, July 1 -- Three alleged drug smugglers were arrested and 5 kg of opium seized during a joint operation by security forces and police near the Manipur-Assam border.

The operation was carried out in the early hours of June 29 following specific intelligence inputs about the movement of narcotics along National Highway-37 in Manipur's Jiribam district.

A joint team comprising central security forces, Jiribam Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) intercepted a silver-grey Hyundai i20 (registration number GJ-27BL-0847) at Leingangpokpi village and recovered 5 kg of opium along with Rs 50,000 in cash during a search of the vehicle.

Two occupants of the vehicle, identified as Dhanraj Prajapat (46) and Buddha Ram (44), bot...