Over 71 Lakh Smuggled Cigarette Sticks Worth ₹14 Crore Seized in North-East in Two Months

June 12, 2026

Guwahati: A planned and coordinated crackdown by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on a smuggling syndicate in the North-East has led to the seizure of more than 71 lakh smuggled cigarette sticks over the past two months.

The market value of the seized foreign-origin cigarette sticks is estimated at around ₹14 crore. Following the seizures in May and June, DRI officials also arrested four suspects linked to the smuggling racket.

45 Lakh Cigarettes Seized in Major Operation

On June 11, the DRI seized more than 45 lakh sticks of foreign-origin cigarettes of brands such as Mond, XSo, ORIS and Patron in Mizoram. The operation was carried out with assistance from the 34th Battalion of Assam Rifles, and one person was arrested.

Preliminary investigations suggest the cigarettes were smuggled from Myanmar through the Zokhawthar sector along the Indo-Myanmar border.

In separate operations over the past few weeks, another 26 lakh cigarette sticks were seized, leading to the arrest of three more accused persons.

Assam Rifles Leads Joint Anti-Smuggling Operations

Last month, Assam Rifles, along with other agencies, conducted multiple operations in Mizoram, seizing foreign cigarettes and methamphetamine tablets worth ₹35.71 crore.

In one major operation, over one lakh methamphetamine tablets valued at ₹30 crore were recovered in Lawngtlai district.

Continued Crackdown on Cross-Border Smuggling

In another joint operation, officials intercepted a truck carrying foreign cigarettes valued at ₹5.23 crore, while separate enforcement actions led to additional seizures worth ₹48 lakh.

Authorities said coordinated operations against cross-border smuggling networks will continue across the region.