Seizure of Smuggled Areca Nuts by Assam Rifles and Customs in Mizoram
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Synopsis
In a collaborative operation, Assam Rifles and Customs officials seized a significant shipment of areca nuts valued at Rs 1.08 crore in Mizoram. These nuts were smuggled from Myanmar and found concealed in a forest. The operation aims to combat the growing illegal trade affecting local farmers.
Key Takeaways
- Joint operation by Assam Rifles and Customs.
- 180 bags of areca nuts seized.
- Contraband valued at Rs 1.08 crore.
- Smuggling route from Myanmar to Mizoram.
- Impact on farmers in Assam and Tripura.
Aizawl, March 22 (NationPress) In a coordinated effort, Assam Rifles and Customs officials have successfully intercepted a shipment of areca nuts, commonly referred to as Burmese betel nuts, worth Rs 1.08 crore in Mizoram, as reported on Saturday.
A spokesperson for the defense stated that based on precise intelligence, a significant haul of areca nuts, packed in 180 bags, was confiscated in Zote, located in the Champhai district on Friday.
The areca nuts, valued at Rs 1.08 crore, were illicitly brought into the state from Myanmar and concealed in a forested area.
The seized contraband has been transferred to the Customs Preventive Force in Champhai.
The Champhai district, which has an unfenced border with Myanmar, is notorious for the smuggling of various illegal goods, including drugs, foreign cigarettes, areca nuts, weapons, and exotic wildlife and their derivatives. The Chin state of Myanmar is a primary source of drug trafficking affecting six districts in Mizoram—Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip.
The extensive smuggling of areca nuts from Myanmar is severely impacting farmers in Assam and Tripura, where betel nuts are cultivated in abundance.
In response to the illegal influx of areca nuts from Myanmar, the Assam government has implemented restrictions on the transport of this commodity, hindering the movement of areca nuts from Tripura to other regions of the country. Thanks to the efforts of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, the deadlock concerning the transportation of areca nuts from Tripura to Assam has seen partial resolution. Saha raised the issue with his counterpart in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, to facilitate the unhindered transport of areca nuts.
Additionally, Saha previously conferred with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure the seamless transportation and trade of areca nuts produced in Tripura via Assam.
Last August, during a ministerial meeting between Assam and Mizoram to address inter-state border disputes, both states reiterated their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against the trafficking of smuggled areca nuts from neighboring Myanmar.
