Aizawl: The Assam Rifles, in coordination with other security forces, have conducted a series of successful operations across Mizoram over the past 24 hours, seizing contraband worth over Rs 1.44 crore and arresting 11 individuals.
In the first major operation, acting on specific intelligence regarding the movement of foreign cigars, an Area Domination Patrol (ADP) by Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police was launched in the Tlangpuikawn areas of Siaha District.
Security personnel intercepted four vehicles, recovering 83 cartons of foreign cigars (Burmese Cheroot) valued at Rs 62.25 lakh. Four individuals, aged between 20 and 27, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
In a separate incident, Assam Rifles, alongside officials from the Excise and Narcotics Department, established a check post on the New Dawn to Hnahthial road, also in Siaha district.
They intercepted four suspects and, following a thorough search, recovered 109.08 grams of heroin with an estimated market value of Rs 81.81 lakh. The four drug traffickers, including two women, were immediately taken into custody.
In the third operation, the Assam Rifles and the state police jointly arrested three individuals from the Chawngte areas of Lunglei District and recovered 373 packets, containing approximately 124 litres of locally made alcohol worth Rs 93,250.
All 11 arrested individuals and the seized drugs and contraband have been handed over to the police for further legal proceedings.
The security officials suspect that all the contraband was smuggled from Myanmar. Officials highlight that Siaha District shares an unfenced border with Myanmar, while Lunglei District borders Bangladesh.
Myanmar’s Chin state is a known hub for the smuggling of various drugs, exotic wildlife, and other contraband, which often infiltrates India through six Mizoram districts: Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip.
Mizoram shares a 510-km unfenced border with Myanmar and a 318-km border with Bangladesh.
