Assam Police Seize Massive Stash of Foreign Cigarettes in Kokrajhar

Guwahati: Assam police stopped a six-wheeled container truck at Srirampur in the Kokrajhar district yesterday. The vehicle was headed toward West Bengal. Officers pulled the truck over during routine checks on vehicles using that transit route.

The haul was massive. Police uncovered 18,500 packets of foreign-made cigarettes buried deep under a legitimate cargo of bamboo. They took the driver and one other passenger into custody immediately.

Officers are now questioning the pair. They need to find out where the cigarettes came from and exactly where they were headed. Authorities stated, "Further investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the transportation of the cigarettes and identify others who may be involved in the consignment."

Police continue to ramp up inspections along the Srirampur route. They want to choke off illegal smuggling between Assam and West Bengal.