In recent operations in Assam and Mizoram, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) confiscated approximately 60,000 kg of smuggled foreign areca nuts. The DRI Guwahati Zonal Unit, based on specific intelligence, carried out these operations earlier this week, targeting the Myanmarese areca nuts. Investigations indicate that these dried areca nuts were illicitly brought into India from Myanmar through the Myanmar-Mizoram border.
The operations also involved the assistance of the 38 Battalion of Assam Rifles, resulting in the arrest of 5 individuals. The influx of these foreign areca nuts from Myanmar is adversely affecting domestic areca nut growers, leading to significant economic losses and compromising economic stability in the border areas.
Farmers in Tripura and Assam have been protesting against the smuggling of areca nuts from Myanmar. Mizoram shares a 510 km border with Myanmar’s Chin state, known for smuggling various illicit items like drugs and wildlife through Northeastern states. The state has emerged as a key route for drug trafficking in Northeast India due to its extensive unfenced borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, with methamphetamine tablets and heroin being commonly smuggled substances.
