Assam Rifles Uncover Drugs and E-Cigarettes Worth Rs 18.66 Crores; Five Arrested
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Synopsis
The Assam Rifles and associated agencies successfully seized drugs, e-cigarettes, and fake currency worth Rs 18.66 crore in multiple operations in Mizoram and Assam, culminating in the capture of five drug traffickers, including two from Myanmar.
Key Takeaways
- Assam Rifles seized Rs 18.66 crore worth of contraband.
- Operations conducted across Mizoram and Assam.
- Drugs included methamphetamine and Phensedyl syrup.
- Five individuals arrested, including two from Myanmar.
- Seizures included counterfeit currency notes.
Aizawl/Silchar, March 26 (NationPress) In a series of five distinct operations, the Assam Rifles and allied agencies have successfully confiscated a range of drugs, foreign e-cigarettes, and counterfeit Indian currency valued at Rs 18.66 crore across Mizoram and southern Assam, leading to the arrest of five drug traffickers, which includes two nationals from Myanmar, as reported by an official on Wednesday.
A spokesperson from the Defence stated that this operation marked a significant achievement in their ongoing battle against drug trafficking. The Assam Rifles, in collaboration with officials from the Excise and Narcotics Department, seized 50,000 highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, commonly referred to as Yaba or party tablets, valued at Rs 15 crore.
The drugs, which were illegally transported from Myanmar, were discovered in Bualpui, located in the Lawngtlai district of Mizoram. Authorities apprehended a 53-year-old Myanmarese individual hailing from Lungrang village in the Hakha District of Myanmar.
In a subsequent operation, the paramilitary unit, alongside officials from the Excise and Narcotics Department, confiscated 386 bottles of Phensedyl cough syrup and detained another Myanmarese national in the Iron Bridge region of Zokhawthar, situated in Mizoram's Champhai district.
During a routine inspection at the India-Myanmar friendship bridge, a suspicious shipment was identified, revealing contraband concealed within juice packages intended for smuggling into India.
The detained Myanmarese, identified as Lang Ngaih Lian (45) from Tahan, was taken into custody by the Excise and Narcotics Department.
This seized contraband is estimated to be worth around Rs 2 crore.
The smuggling of Phensedyl, which is commonly abused as a narcotic, presents a serious public health risk, according to the spokesperson.
In the third operation, the Assam Rifles, in partnership with Customs, seized a large quantity of foreign e-cigarettes contained in 14 boxes from Zokhawthar in Champhai district.
The confiscated items, valued at Rs 16.43 lakh, have been transferred to Customs for further evaluation and legal action.
In the fourth operation, Assam Rifles, in conjunction with Excise and Narcotics Department officials, intercepted a vehicle and seized 151.7 grams of heroin worth Rs 1.13 crore. Three suspects from Zokhawthar in Champhai district were apprehended.
The arrested individuals are identified as Rashid Ahmed (28), Imran Khan (27), and Kanrul Islam Laskar (27), all of whom are residents of Assam. The seized drugs, vehicle, and suspects have been handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department.
In the fifth operation, the Assam Rifles seized counterfeit Indian currency notes totaling Rs 37,28,500 at Rongpur in southern Assam's Silchar and arrested an individual.
