DRI Seizes 7.1 Million Smuggled Cigarettes in Northeast India Operation

Guwahati: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized approximately 71 lakh foreign-origin cigarette sticks valued at Rs 14 crore during a series of enforcement actions in Northeast India since May. Officials confirmed on Friday that these operations led to the arrest of four individuals suspected of participating in illicit trade networks.

The most significant seizure occurred on June 11 in Mizoram, where DRI officers and the 34th Battalion of the Assam Rifles intercepted more than 45 lakh cigarette sticks. This specific consignment included brands such as Mond, XSo, ORIS, and Patron. Authorities arrested one person during this operation, which investigations suggest involved goods smuggled into India from Myanmar via the Zokhawthar sector.

Additional raids conducted over the past few weeks yielded 26 lakh more cigarette sticks and resulted in three further arrests. The agency stated that these coordinated efforts are part of its broader mandate to dismantle smuggling rings, noting that the agency is "ongoing efforts to curb cross-border smuggling and dismantle illicit trade networks operating in the region."