Manipur: Assam Rifles foils cross-border smuggling attempt

Imphal: In its continuous effort to uphold ethnic standards along the borders, Assam Rifles arrested a total of nine suspected smugglers along with 1,220 bags of areca/betel nuts, weighing approximately 96.66 tonnes valued at Rs. 11.5992 crore in the black market of the northeastern states.

Nine Indian trucks engaged in the smuggling were also impounded, an official statement said on Saturday.

In response to credible intelligence indicating the unlawful transportation of areca nuts in the regions of General Area Shankalok and Jungle track connecting Phaikoh and Grihangvill in Manipur's Kamjong district bordering Myanmar on the east, a search operation was launched by the Indian Paramilitary troopers on Saturday.

This operation successfully intercepted a total of nine Indian Trucks that were involved in the illegal transportation of areca nuts, lacking the necessary valid documentation.

The intercepted goods were intended for unauthorized distribution within the black market in the northeastern region.

Upon thorough inspection, the search operation resulted in a significant seizure, encompassing 1,220 bags of areca/betel nuts, weighing approximately 96.66 tonnes and valued at Rs. 11.5992 crore.

These confiscated goods were handed over to the Forest Beat Officer of Kamjong district.