KATHMANDU: Police said they seized a big quantity of marijuana and hashish from a forest area in Manahari of Makawanpur after a face-off with suspected drug smugglers who fled the scene.

The haul was of 700 kg marijuana and 35 kg hashish.

Security personnel from the Manahari-based Area Police Office were sent to the jungle near Nayabasti of Manahari-2 after receiving a tip-off about the contraband smuggling.

After seeing police, the smugglers first opened fired at them but later ran away when they retaliated.

When police reached the site, they discovered the contraband packed in 20 sacks.

Police said they have launched a manhunt for the suspects.