Aizawl, March 3: K Sapdanga on March 2 informed the state Assembly that the Mizoram government would scale up its enforcement drive against the smuggling of areca nuts from Myanmar, citing growing concerns over its economic impact.
The Home Minister said the illegal influx of areca nuts over the past several years had inflicted substantial losses on local cultivators and fuelled the circulation of unaccounted “black money” in the region. Referring to official data from 2019 to 2025, he stated that 468 cases related to areca nut smuggling had been registered during the six-year period, resulting in the arrest of 292 individuals.
Of the total cases, 109 were booked for violations of prohibitory orders under the Indian Penal Code or the newly enforced Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, while 359 cases were registered under the Customs Act, 1962. He said 184 persons were arrested under IPC/BNSS provisions, and 108 others were apprehended under the Customs Act.
Sapdanga explained that areca nuts entering from Myanmar evaded mandatory import duties and taxes, constituting a direct breach of customs regulations. He said untaxed goods were sold at significantly lower prices, which not only increased the circulation of illegal funds but also severely undermined the ability of local growers to market their produce competitively.
Reaffirming the government’s zero-tolerance approach, the minister said the ban on illegal imports would remain in force and border surveillance would be further tightened. He had earlier warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in the illicit trade, including government officials, and alleged past involvement of certain politicians and police personnel.
The minister further claimed that the sustained crackdown had already led to a notable rise in the prices of locally produced areca nuts, bringing relief to farmers across Mizoram.
