Assam Rifles Confiscate Foreign Cigarettes Worth Rs 1 Crore in Tripura; Two Arrested
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Synopsis
In a significant operation, Assam Rifles and the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau seized foreign cigarettes valued at over Rs 1 crore in Tripura, apprehending two smugglers in the process. This operation underscores the ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and illegal activities in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Assam Rifles collaborated with SIB for the operation.
- Seized cigarettes valued at Rs 1 crore.
- Two smugglers arrested during the operation.
- Items handed over to Customs Department.
- Operation reflects commitment to combat smuggling.
Agartala, Jan 15 (NationPress) In a significant crackdown on illicit activities, Assam Rifles, in partnership with the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB), successfully seized foreign cigarettes valued at over Rs 1 crore in Tripura and apprehended two individuals involved in smuggling.
A spokesperson for the Defence stated that the para-military forces, acting on confidential information, intercepted a vehicle at Champaknagar in West Tripura district, leading to the recovery of a shipment containing 100 cartons of foreign cigarettes.
The market value of the confiscated goods is estimated to be Rs 1 crore. During this operation, two smugglers were taken into custody in relation to these illegal activities.
The confiscated contraband and the detained suspects have been handed over to the Customs Department for further investigation and appropriate legal proceedings.
This operation highlights the Assam Rifles' commitment to fighting smuggling and ensuring vigilance against illegal activities in the region, as stated in an official release.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, during the recent winter session of the state assembly, mentioned that drugs smuggled from Myanmar into the state via neighboring Assam and the cultivation of ganja (marijuana) are contributing to a parallel economy in the northeastern state.
The Chief Minister reported that in the past three years, 1,665 cases have been lodged under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, leading to the arrest of 2,697 drug peddlers involved in these illegal operations.
Saha, who also oversees the Home and Health and Family Welfare portfolios, added that over the last three years, various drugs, including the destruction of significant quantities of ganja (marijuana) plantations worth Rs 1,587.47 crore, were seized by law enforcement agencies, including the Tripura Police.
An official noted that the foreign cigarettes were smuggled from Myanmar, passing through Mizoram and southern Assam before reaching Tripura for further smuggling into Bangladesh.
Tripura shares an 856 km border with Bangladesh, and some sections of this frontier remain unfenced.
