Guwahati: Guwahati witnessed a significant blow to the illegal foreign tobacco trade on Sunday night as the Assam Police successfully intercepted a substantial consignment of contraband cigarettes in the Lalmati area, leading to the arrest of two individuals.
Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, a dedicated team from the Basistha Police Station executed a targeted search operation. Their efforts culminated in the interception of a cement-hauling LP truck during the process of offloading its illicit cargo into a Tata Intra pickup van, revealing a large stash of ESSE Light Slim Cigarettes, bearing the mark of KT & G, Korea.
The two individuals found in possession of the illegal cigarettes, identified as Chandan Barman, aged 48, and Pranjal Das, aged 25, were immediately apprehended. Crucially, they were unable to provide any legitimate documentation to account for the possession and transportation of the seized foreign tobacco products.
Rajib Saikia, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Assam Police, officially confirmed the successful operation and the details of the seizure. He stated that law enforcement officers recovered a total of 798 packets, with each packet containing 10 boxes and each box holding 20 cigarettes, amounting to a staggering 1,59,600 individual cigarettes. Additionally, both the LP truck and the Tata Intra pickup van used in the illegal activity have been impounded by the authorities.
The Assam Police have indicated their strong suspicion that this seizure is indicative of a more extensive network operating behind this illicit trade. As a result, a comprehensive investigation is now underway to unravel the full scope of the operation and bring all involved parties to justice.
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