Assam Rifles, Mizoram Police Seize Contraband Worth Crores; One Arrested

Mizoram, Dec 20, 2024, By Our Correspondent65

The Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police jointly seized foreign-origin cigarettes worth ₹7.8 crore in Cherhlun village of Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district. The operation, carried out on Wednesday night, also led to the arrest of 28-year-old Lalrin Chhana, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The seized contraband, packed in 600 cases, was confiscated following a covert operation. Assam Rifles sources revealed that the apprehended individual, along with the consignment, has been handed over to the Mizoram Police for further legal proceedings.

In another significant development, the Assam Rifles, in collaboration with the Customs Preventive Force, intercepted a smuggled consignment of areca nuts weighing 4,400 kilograms in Hmunhmeltha village of Champhai district, close to the Myanmar border. The contraband, valued at approximately ₹30.8 lakh, was reportedly brought in from Myanmar.

The Assam Rifles issued a statement emphasizing that the rampant smuggling of contraband items poses a grave challenge to the security and economic stability of Mizoram and India. Dubbed the "Sentinels of the Northeast," the Assam Rifles reiterated their commitment to intensifying operations against illegal activities and apprehending key players involved in smuggling.

Between November 20 and December 10, the Assam Rifles seized drugs worth an estimated ₹200 crore across Mizoram, Tripura, and Assam. These contraband items, including heroin and methamphetamine tablets, are often smuggled from Myanmar into India via the northeastern states.

With a 1,643 km-long porous border shared by Myanmar and northeastern India, including Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, the region remains a preferred route for smugglers. The authorities continue to double down on efforts to curb illegal trade and strengthen border security.