DRI seizes 60,000 kg smuggled foreign origin areca nuts in NE region, 5 held
New Delhi/Aizawl, May 22 In two major operations in the northeastern states of Assam and Mizoram, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized a large quantity -- around 60,000 kg -- of smuggled foreign-origin areca nuts, the central agency said on Friday.
An official statement said that, acting on specific intelligence, DRI Guwahati Zonal Unit conducted operations in Mizoram and Assam earlier this week, leading to the seizures of the Myanmarese areca nuts.
Initial investigations revealed that foreign-origin dried areca nuts were smuggled into India from Myanmar through the Myanmar-Mizoram border.
In one of the operations, DRI was assisted by the 38 Battalion of Assam Rifles, the statement said. So far, 5 people have been arrested in these operations.
According to the statement, illegal influx of the areca nut from the neighbouring country is causing severe economic damage to domestic areca nut growers and undermining economic security in the border regions.
Areca nut farmers in Tripura and Assam have organised agitations in the recent past against the smuggling of areca nuts from Myanmar.
Mizoram's Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip share a combined border of 510 km with Myanmar's Chin state, which is a hub for smuggling of varied drugs, exotic wildlife animals and many other contraband through the Northeastern states.
The state has become a major drug trafficking corridor in Northeast India due to its long unfenced borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Among the most commonly smuggled narcotic substances from Myanmar are highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, popularly known as Yaba or "party tablets", and heroin. Often referred to as the "crazy drug", Yaba tablets contain a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine and are strictly prohibited in India.
— IANS
Reader Comments
60,000 kg is huge! But honestly, the real issue is the 510 km unfenced border with Myanmar. How can we stop smuggling without proper fencing? The government needs to prioritize border security in the Northeast, not just talk about it.
Good to see action against smuggling, but I'm more worried about the drug trafficking mentioned. Yaba tablets are destroying youth in the Northeast. Areca nuts are bad for farmers, but drugs are a life and death issue. Hope DRI focuses on that too.
This is why we need to support our local farmers! Every time we buy foreign areca nuts, we're hurting Indian agriculture. The government should also create awareness campaigns about buying Indian products. But seizing 60,000 kg is a big step forward!
Impressive operation! But 510 km of unfenced border sounds like a massive security gap. As someone from the US, I'm surprised India doesn't have better border control. This seems like a systemic issue that needs long-term infrastructure investment.
Arre yaar, why only focus on areca nuts? The real problem is drugs like Yaba tablets that are destroying families in Mizoram and Assam. DRI should prioritize narcotics over nuts. But good job on the seizure anyway.
K We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.