AIZAWL: In a major anti-smuggling operation in Mizoram, Assam Rifles has seized a large consignment of illegal foreign-origin cigarettes valued at approximately ₹2.52 crore in Champhai district.
The operation was carried out at Tuipui on August 22, following intelligence inputs regarding the movement of the suspected contraband.
According to Assam Rifles, the operation was conducted in coordination with the Legal Metrology Department, Champhai. Security personnel recovered a total of 105 cases of foreign-origin cigarettes during the operation.
The seized consignment included 60 cases of Mond cigarettes, 27 cases of V cigarettes and 18 cases of ORIS Silver cigarettes.
In addition to the cigarette consignment, an alleged Tata Sumo Gold vehicle used in connection with the transportation of the goods was also seized. One individual was apprehended during the operation.
The recovered cigarettes, along with the seized vehicle and the apprehended individual, were subsequently handed over to the Legal Metrology Department, Champhai, for further investigation and legal proceedings, according to the Assam Rifles statement.
The seizure comes amid continuing efforts by security and enforcement agencies to curb the smuggling of foreign-origin goods through the Northeast. Previous official enforcement actions in Mizoram have also resulted in significant seizures of foreign-origin cigarettes, underlining the region’s importance in anti-smuggling operations.
