GUWAHATI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Guwahati Zonal Unit, has seized around 60,000 kg of smuggled foreign-origin areca nuts in two major operations carried out in Assam and Mizoram this week.
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Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officials conducted coordinated raids in the North East region, leading to the recovery of the contraband areca nuts allegedly smuggled into India from Myanmar through the Myanmar-Mizoram border.
In one of the operations, the DRI team was assisted by the 38 Battalion of Assam Rifles.
Officials said preliminary investigation revealed that the dried areca nuts were of foreign origin and had been illegally brought into the country through border routes.
So far, five persons have been arrested in connection with the smuggling operations.
According to officials, the illegal influx of areca nuts from neighbouring countries is causing major economic losses to domestic areca nut growers and posing a threat to economic security in border regions.