Champhai, Mizoram – A massive crackdown on cross-border smuggling has led to the seizure of heroin and foreign cigarettes valued at over ₹9 crore, in a joint operation by the Mizoram Police and Assam Rifles. The twin busts, carried out in the border district of Champhai, also resulted in the arrest of one individual.
The first operation, executed on Wednesday, was a precise action based on a specific tip-off. A joint team of the paramilitary force and local police personnel established a search at a police check gate in Champhai. Their vigilance paid off when they intercepted a vehicle and discovered a substantial haul – one kilogramme of heroin. The contraband has an estimated market value of ₹8.58 crore. Following the seizure, a person in possession of the illegal drugs was arrested on the spot. The accused and the seized narcotics have since been handed over to the Champhai police for further legal proceedings.
The successful operations continued into Thursday. In a separate incident, Assam Rifles personnel, maintaining a heightened state of alert, intercepted a consignment of smuggled foreign cigarettes. The team seized a total of 69 cases and 10 loose cartons of the illegal goods, with an approximate street value of ₹89.96 lakh. This substantial seizure of unbilled and untaxed cigarettes underlines the persistent challenge of smuggling in the region. The seized cigarettes have been handed over to the state Legal Metrology department in Champhai for further action. The consecutive operations highlight the robust collaboration and intelligence-sharing between Mizoram’s law enforcement agencies and the Assam Rifles in combating illicit cross-border trade.