Aizawl: The Mizoram government has decided to intensify its crackdown on the smuggling of areca nuts from Myanmar, Home Minister K Sapdanga told the Assembly on Monday.
Sapdanga said the steady influx of the commodity from the neighbouring country in recent years has inflicted substantial economic losses on local growers and contributed to the growth of unaccounted “black money” in the state.
Citing official figures from 2019 to 2025, he informed the House that authorities have registered 468 cases linked to the smuggling of areca nuts from Myanmar during this period. The enforcement drive has resulted in the arrest of 292 individuals over the past six years.
Out of the total cases, 109 were registered for violating prohibitory orders under the IPC or the newly enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), while the remaining 359 cases were booked under the Customs Act, forming the majority, the minister said.
He added that 184 people were arrested under provisions of the IPC or BNSS, whereas 108 others were proceeded against under the Customs Act.
Sapdanga explained that those apprehended under the IPC or BNSS for breaching promulgated orders are tried before a judicial magistrate and may face penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, depending on the applicable provisions.
Individuals arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, are prosecuted under the stringent clauses of the legislation, he said.
The minister pointed out that areca nuts smuggled from Myanmar evade mandatory import duties and taxes, thereby violating the Customs Act.
“Since these goods are brought in without paying taxes, they are sold at much lower prices. This fuels the circulation of illegal money and severely undermines local areca nut farmers’ ability to market their produce,” Sapdanga said.
Reiterating the government’s “zero-tolerance” stance, the Home Minister said the ban will remain in force and border vigilance will be further tightened.
Earlier this month, he had warned that anyone involved in the illegal trade — including government officials — would face strict action.
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He had also alleged that certain politicians and police personnel were previously linked to the unlawful trade.
Sapdanga further claimed that the ongoing crackdown on smuggling from Myanmar has led to a significant rise in the prices of locally produced areca nuts.
