68 tonnes of smuggled areca nuts worth Rs 5.87 crore seized in Manipur

IMPHAL: The Assam Rifles have seized 68 tonnes of smuggled areca nuts worth Rs 5.87 crore in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, officials said on Friday. A Defence spokesman said that based on specific intelligence input regarding illegal transportation of areca nuts on Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37), a Joint Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was established by Assam Rifles and Police at Haibung in Kangpokpi District of Manipur.

During the operation, the joint team intercepted two trucks (with Nagaland registration) carrying approximately 68 tonnes of areca nuts valued at Rs 5.87 crore. On thorough checking, it was found that the consignment was being transported without valid documents, including mandatory transit permits from the forest department. The seized consignment, along with both vehicles, was handed over to the forest officials of Kangpokpi Forest Division for further legal action and investigation. The mountainous Kangpokpi District shares borders with Nagaland. Police officials said that the areca nuts, also known as Burmese Betel nuts, were smuggled from Myanmar. The Assam Rifles, Customs and police often seized Burmese areca nuts in Mizoram after they were smuggled from Myanmar. (IANS)

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