Overview
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence reported seizure of 71 lakh foreign-origin cigarette sticks worth about Rs 14 crore after coordinated operations across the North-East.
- The largest haul—more than 45 lakh sticks—was recovered in Mizoram on June 11 with support from the 34th Battalion, Assam Rifles, and produced one arrest.
- Earlier DRI actions in May and June led to seizures of about 26 lakh sticks and three additional arrests, bringing total detainees to four.
- Preliminary investigations indicate the consignments moved from Myanmar into Mizoram via the Zokhawthar sector, and agencies are now tracing routes, handlers and assets.
- Separate joint operations have also recovered roughly 1 lakh methamphetamine tablets in the region, highlighting overlap between tobacco smuggling and drug networks and raising revenue and public-health concerns.