Manipur: 10,920 kg Myanmar-origin areca nuts seized, seven smugglers arrested

Imphal: A joint team of Assam Rifles and Manipur Forest officials seized 10,920 kg of Myanmar-origin areca nuts worth around ?12 lakh during a special operation in Senapati district, officials said on Saturday. The team also arrested seven alleged international smugglers.

Officials said the contraband was smuggled into Manipur from Myanmar and transported in two vehicles along the Senapati stretch bordering Nagaland.

The operation followed credible intelligence inputs about illegal movement of areca nut consignments along National Highway 102.

The forces launched a planned operation and established control over the suspected area.
During the check, they intercepted two Tata 4x4 trucks carrying 10,920 kg of areca nuts without any valid documents on December 4.

The joint team handed over the seized consignment to the Maram Beat Office under the Mao Range in Senapati district. Officials also filed two Preliminary Offence Reports (PORs) under the relevant forest laws.

Authorities described this as the first major covert operation jointly carried out in the area.
An investigation is underway, and the confiscated items will be auctioned soon.

The security forces said the operation should serve as a strict warning against illegal transport of forest produce. They urged citizens to report any such activities to the authorities.