DRI seizes 71 lakh smuggled cigarettes worth Rs 14 crore in North East
New Delhi, June 12
In a major crackdown on cigarette smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized around 71 lakh foreign-origin cigarettes worth nearly Rs 14 crore in the North Eastern Region, as per a statement by the Ministry of Finance.
According to the release, DRI had been carrying out multiple coordinated operations in the region. The operations, conducted since May 2026, led to the arrest of four individuals involved in the illegal trade. Furthermore, the agency worked closely with local enforcement authorities to track the movement of contraband and prevent illegal sales in the region.
In a major crackdown against the smuggling of foreign-origin cigarettes, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) carried out multiple coordinated operations in the North-Eastern Region.
"Since May 2026, operations conducted by DRI have led to a total seizure of about 71,00,000 sticks of foreign-origin smuggled cigarettes across the North Eastern Region, valued cumulatively at approximately Rs. 14 crore and along with the arrest of 4 persons," the release said.
According to the release, DRI seized over 45 lakh sticks of foreign-origin cigarettes, including brands like Mond, XSo, ORIS, and Patron, in Mizoram on June 11, 2026, which was highlighted as one of the major operations.
"Among major operations, DRI seized more than 45 lakh sticks of foreign-origin cigarettes of brands such as Mond, XSo, ORIS and Patron in Mizoram on 11th June 2026," the release added.
Furthermore, this operation was carried out with the assistance of the "34th Battalion, Assam Rifles."
One person has been arrested in the case. According to a preliminary investigation, "the cigarettes were smuggled into the country from Myanmar through the Zokhawthar sector along the Indo-Myanmar border."
Furthermore, an additional 26 lakh such cigarettes have been seized, and 3 persons have been arrested, in a string of operations in the last few weeks.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see enforcement in action. But I'm curious - where are these cigarettes actually going? Are they being sold locally in the NE states, or making their way to other parts of India? The supply chain behind 71 lakh sticks must be quite sophisticated.
While I appreciate the seizure, I wish authorities would focus more on the economics behind this. Why are foreign cigarettes so attractive? High taxes on Indian brands make smuggling profitable. Reduce taxes, control smuggling - simple logic. But nobody listens. 🙄
This is happening right under our noses in plain sight. The Zokhawthar sector is a known smuggling route but still such large quantities get through. Either patrols need to increase, or locals need better livelihood options so they don't become mules for smugglers.
Impressive operation! 71 lakh sticks is no joke. Just thinking about the health impact - these smuggled cigarettes often have no health warnings, no quality control. People might think they're getting a deal but who knows what chemicals are in those Myanmar-origin sticks?
Only 4 arrests for 71 lakh cigarettes? That's barely scratching the surface. The real kingpins are sitting somewhere safe. Need to follow the money trail - who funded this, who was getting the cut? Otherwise these operations just catch small fish while the big sharks swim free. 🤔
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