Manipur: Smuggled areca nuts worth Rs 8.7 lakh seized, two arrested
Imphal: Security forces in Manipur's Tengnoupal District seized 1005 kg of areca nuts valued at Rs 8.7 lakhs on Saturday.
The contraband items were being transported in two vehicles without valid documents.
Acting on credible intelligence, a Mobile Vehicle Check Post launched a search operation.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 20 bags of areca nuts.
Two persons who were drivers of the vehicles were apprehended.
They were handed over to the customs department for further proceedings.
It may be mentioned the nuts are suspected to have been smuggled into India from Myanmar.
The areca nuts from Myanmar, commonly known as Burmese supari in the market, are banned in India.
However, smugglers often bring them into India owing to the fact that they are relatively cheaper as compared to the local produce.