The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dealt a significant blow to cross-border cigarette smuggling in the North-Eastern region, seizing 43.2 lakh sticks of foreign-origin cigarettes valued at Rs. 8.64 crore in an intelligence-led operation in Mizoram, today. The consignment suspected to have been smuggled from Myanmar, was intercepted while being transported towards Aizawl.

Acting on specific intelligence that a truck was transporting a substantial quantity of foreign-origin cigarettes towards Aizawl, officers of DRI Aizawl Regional Unit mounted surveillance along the Champhai–Aizawl Road. The vehicle was intercepted at Tuirial village. A thorough examination of the truck led to the recovery of 432 cases containing 43,20,000 sticks of “Patron” brand foreign-origin cigarettes.

Examination revealed that the cigarette packets did not carry the mandatory pictorial and health warnings prescribed under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. The cigarettes, along with the truck, were seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962. The driver of the truck was arrested.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the cigarettes had been smuggled into Mizoram from Myanmar through the Zokhawthar sector of the Mizoram–Myanmar border, highlighting the use of cross-border routes for the illicit movement of foreign-origin tobacco products.

This significant seizure underscores DRI’s continued efforts to dismantle cross-border smuggling networks, curb the illegal movement of foreign-origin goods and strengthen enforcement along vulnerable international border routes.

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KT/KMN

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