The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 1,25,680 kg of foreign-origin areca nuts and 41,697 kg of foreign-origin poppy seeds, collectively valued at approximately ₹20.31 crore, in separate operations conducted in Mizoram and Assam. The crackdown targeted cross-border smuggling networks operating along the India-Myanmar border, with four persons arrested in connection with the transportation of the smuggled goods.
In Mizoram, DRI officials, with assistance from Customs, Assam Rifles and Champhai Police, searched three godowns near Ruantlang village in Champhai district and recovered 1,25,680 kg of suspected foreign-origin areca nuts valued at around ₹14 crore, along with 25,440 kg of poppy seeds valued at approximately ₹3.81 crore. The investigation indicated that the goods had been smuggled into India from Myanmar.
In a separate operation near Lalipur, Silchar, DRI officials intercepted two trucks and recovered 290 HDPE bags containing 16,257 kg of foreign-origin poppy seeds, valued at around ₹2.43 crore. The consignment allegedly lacked valid import documents and was seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
The DRI stated that the seizure of the foreign-origin areca nuts is among the largest such seizures in the North-Eastern region in recent years. The agency continues to focus on disrupting cross-border smuggling networks and preventing the illegal entry of restricted and foreign-origin agricultural commodities into India. CASansaar