Assam Police seize 74 cartons of foreign liquor in Cachar, 3 Tripura residents arrested
Synopsis
A routine vehicle check at a toll gate on NH-6 in Cachar unravelled what police believe is an interstate liquor smuggling operation spanning Meghalaya, Assam, and Mizoram. Three Tripura residents are in custody, 74 cartons of foreign liquor seized — and investigators say they may be looking at a larger network.
Key Takeaways
Assam Police seized 74 cartons of foreign liquor from a cargo truck on 6 August at the Kalainchhara Toll Gate on National Highway-6 , Cachar district .
The contraband was concealed behind legitimate goods to evade checkpoint scrutiny.
Three Tripura residents — Sandhyaram Debbarma , Katarajay Debbarma , and Deniya Reng — have been arrested.
The liquor was allegedly being smuggled from Meghalaya to Mizoram through Assam.
Market value of the seized consignment runs into several lakh rupees ; exact figure under verification.
Police are investigating links to a possible larger interstate smuggling network.
Assam Police seized 74 cartons of illegally transported foreign liquor from a cargo truck on 6 August at the Kalainchhara Toll Gate checkpoint on National Highway-6 in Cachar district, arresting three people in connection with the smuggling attempt. The contraband was concealed behind legitimate goods inside the vehicle in what officials described as a deliberate bid to evade detection.
How the Seizure Unfolded
Personnel deployed at the naka checkpoint near the Kalainchhara Toll Gate flagged the truck after noticing suspicious movement. A detailed search of the vehicle revealed 74 cartons of foreign liquor hidden behind other consignments. Both the contraband and the truck used to transport it were seized on the spot.
Who Was Arrested
The three individuals taken into custody have been identified as Sandhyaram Debbarma, Katarajay Debbarma, and Deniya Reng — all residents of Tripura. They are currently under interrogation as investigators work to establish the full extent of the smuggling network.
The Alleged Smuggling Route
Preliminary investigation suggests the liquor consignment was allegedly being transported from Meghalaya to Mizoram through Assam. Police suspect the accused exploited legitimate cargo as cover to avoid scrutiny at checkpoints along this interstate corridor. Officials said the market value of the seized liquor runs into several lakh rupees, though the exact figure is still being verified.
Broader Enforcement Context
A case has been formally registered, and investigators are working to trace the supply chain, identify the liquor's source, and determine whether the three arrested individuals are part of a larger interstate smuggling ring. The seizure is part of an intensified crackdown by Assam Police on the illegal movement of liquor and other contraband along state highways — particularly interstate routes that authorities say are frequently exploited for such activity. Further arrests are not ruled out as interrogation continues.
Point of View
Connecting the relatively permissive liquor regimes of Meghalaya and Mizoram. The tactic of concealing contraband behind legitimate cargo is neither new nor sophisticated — which raises the question of how often it succeeds undetected. Assam Police's intensified naka operations deserve credit, but a single interception does not disrupt a supply chain; it only confirms one exists. The real test is whether interrogation of the three arrested individuals leads investigators up the chain to financiers and distributors, rather than stopping at the truck level.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized by Assam Police at the Kalainchhara Toll Gate?
Assam Police seized 74 cartons of foreign liquor hidden inside a cargo truck at the Kalainchhara Toll Gate checkpoint on National Highway-6 in Cachar district on 6 August. The truck itself was also impounded.
Who were the three persons arrested in the Cachar liquor seizure?
The three arrested individuals are Sandhyaram Debbarma, Katarajay Debbarma, and Deniya Reng, all residents of Tripura. They are in custody and are being interrogated to identify other members of the alleged smuggling network.
What was the alleged smuggling route for the seized liquor?
Preliminary investigation indicates the liquor was allegedly being transported from Meghalaya to Mizoram through Assam. Police suspect the accused used legitimate cargo as cover to avoid detection at checkpoints along the interstate route.
What is the estimated value of the seized liquor?
Officials said the market value of the 74 cartons of foreign liquor runs into several lakh rupees. The exact quantity and value are still being verified as part of the ongoing investigation.
Is this part of a larger smuggling network?
Police have not ruled out the possibility. Investigators are working to trace the supply chain and determine whether the three arrested individuals are connected to a broader interstate smuggling operation. Further interrogation and potential arrests are ongoing.
