Smuggled areca nuts valued at Rs. 159 crore seized in Manipur
Imphal: Assam Rifles foiled cross-border smuggling of illegal items in Kamjong District of Manipur bordering Myanmar on the east and claimed to have recovered 15, 230 bags of areca nuts weighing approximately 1,321.62 tonnes valued at around Rs. 159 crore in the regional markets, officials said on Thursday.
Multiple search operations were launched based on credible intelligence indicating the unlawful transportation of areca nuts in the region of Kangpat Centre and Kangpat Khunou of Kamjong District.
They were able to successfully intercept a total of 109 Indian trucks involved in illegally transporting contraband goods.
The operations led to the confiscation of a substantial quantity of dumped areca nuts suspected of being intended for unauthorized distribution in the regional black markets.
Upon thorough inspection, the search operations resulted in significant seizures, encompassing 15,230 bags of areca nuts weighing approximately 1,321.62 tonnes valued at approximately Rs. 159 crore in the regional black market.
These confiscated goods were handed over to the Forest Beat Officer of Kamjong District, the officials added.