In yet another success in their crusade against smuggling activities, the Assam Rifles troops deployed in Mizoram seized 30 cases of foreign-origin cigarettes in the Chhungte area of Champhai district.
The joint operation was carried out on Friday by the Serchhip Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) along with the Customs department Champhai based on specific information.
During the operation, the joint team was able to seize smuggled foreign-origin cigarettes worth Rs. 39 lakh.
The recovered smuggled items were handed over to Customs Preventive Force Champhai.
Also read: Mizoram: Foreign cigarettes worth Rs 3.38 crores recovered by Assam Rifles troopers
The joint team also apprehended one individual in connection with the seizure for further legal proceedings.
Ongoing smuggling of drugs is a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram, especially along the India-Myanmar border.
Assam Rifles, rightly christened as the ‘Sentinels of Northeast’ have continued their efforts against the smuggling activities in Mizoram.
On August 31, the Serchhip Battalion of Assam Rifles, based on an intelligence input, seized 260 cases of foreign-origin cigarettes worth Rs 3.38 crores from Hruaikawn village in Mizoram’s Champhai district.
Also read: Assam: Golaghat Police seizes 12,000 packets of foreign-origin cigarettes worth Rs 50 lakh
In another operation, a massive illegal consignment of foreign cigarettes was seized by the troopers of Assam Rifles in Mizoram’s Champhai district.
The market value of the recovered foreign cigarettes was estimated to be Rs 1.31 crore.
“The operation was carried out by a joint team of Assam Rifles and Customs department Champhai based on specific information,” read a statement from the Assam Rifles.
The statement said: “Approximate cost of the seized foreign origin cigarettes, Mkt value – Rs. 1,31,17,000/- recovered items handed over to Customs Preventive Force Champhai.”