The Assam Rifles, in coordination with various law enforcement agencies, has seized contraband valued at approximately Rs 2.86 crore during four separate operations across Mizoram, leading to the arrest of 10 alleged smugglers and drug traffickers, officials said on Friday.
The seizures included heroin, poppy seeds, dry areca nuts allegedly smuggled from Myanmar and foreign-origin cigarettes. The operations were conducted at multiple locations as part of ongoing efforts to curb cross-border smuggling and narcotics trafficking in the Northeast.
In the first operation, Assam Rifles personnel, working alongside the Aizawl District Executive Force, intercepted two trucks at Seling. A search of the vehicles led to the recovery of 210 sacks of dry areca nuts valued at around Rs 1.03 crore and 90 sacks of poppy seeds worth approximately Rs 72 lakh.
The total value of the seized goods was estimated at Rs 1.75 crore. Two suspected smugglers were apprehended, while the vehicles and recovered materials were handed over to the Customs Department for further legal action.
In another operation, Assam Rifles and the Customs Preventive Force conducted coordinated searches at Crossing Point-III in Zokhawthar and Mualkawi in Champhai district following intelligence inputs about the movement of smuggled goods.
The teams seized 28 cases of foreign-origin cigarettes, comprising eight cases of Esse Lights and 20 cases of V-brand cigarettes. The consignment was valued at approximately Rs 67.20 lakh.
Three alleged smugglers, including a Myanmar national, were arrested in connection with the seizure. The individuals and the recovered cigarettes were subsequently handed over to the Customs Preventive Force in Champhai for further investigation.
In a third operation, security personnel, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted a car in the Ngopa area of Saitual district in coordination with Mizoram Police. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 167 grams of heroin concealed in 14 soap cases, with an estimated market value of Rs 33.40 lakh.
Two suspected drug traffickers were arrested. The seized narcotics, vehicle and accused were handed over to Ngopa Police Station for further proceedings under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The fourth operation was carried out in the Sailiamkawn Junction area of Serchhip district following intelligence regarding suspected narcotics trafficking. Assam Rifles personnel intercepted three individuals suspected of involvement in drug peddling and recovered 54.28 grams of heroin valued at around Rs 10.85 lakh.
The seized drugs and the apprehended individuals were handed over to Sailiamkawn Police Station for investigation and legal proceedings.
According to an official statement, the operations underscore the Assam Rifles' continued efforts, in cooperation with civil and law enforcement agencies, to disrupt illegal trafficking networks and prevent contraband from entering Mizoram through cross-border routes.
Mizoram and Manipur remain vulnerable to drug trafficking and other forms of smuggling because of their long, unfenced international border with Myanmar and their proximity to the Golden Triangle, a major illicit narcotics-producing region.
Six districts in Mizoram and five in Manipur share approximately 910 kilometres of international border with Myanmar, creating significant challenges for security agencies monitoring illegal cross-border movement.
Apart from heroin and methamphetamine tablets, commonly known as Yaba, authorities have repeatedly raised concerns over the smuggling of poppy seeds, areca nuts, foreign cigarettes, certain cough syrups, explosives and other prohibited goods through clandestine routes.
Security agencies continue to strengthen surveillance and conduct intelligence-led operations to dismantle trafficking networks and prevent illegal consignments from being transported to other parts of India and overseas markets.
