Northeast Desk, 13th February: In a collaborative effort, Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police conducted a joint operation on February 12, resulting in the seizure of a substantial quantity of areca nuts in the Melbuk area under Champhai district.
The operation led to the confiscation of 300 bags of dry areca nuts and 150 bags of green areca, with a total weight of 36,000 kg and an estimated international market value of Rs 2.52 crore.
The joint team, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted three trucks bearing registration numbers MZ 01J 0662, MZ 01F 1037, and MZ 01J 3381, and recovered the contraband.
Three individuals, identified as Lalnuntluanga (39), Lalruatkima (40), and Malsawmtlaunga (30), residents of Aizawl and Kolasib, have been detained in connection with the incident.
Further investigations are underway, and legal proceedings against the detainees have been initiated.
In a similar incident on February 7, 2024, Assam Rifles and the Customs Preventive Force in Champhai collaborated to recover 512 bags of areca nuts valued at Rs 2.51 crore in the vicinity of Ruantlang Tiau River Road, Champhai.
Based on specific intelligence, the joint operation successfully seized the entire consignment, which was subsequently handed over to the Customs Preventive Force in Champhai for further legal action.
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