Guwahati: In a major breakthrough against organized cattle smuggling, Kamrup district police arrested an alleged kingpin, Akram Ali, during a late-night operation on Monday at Kanhara village under Goroimari Police Station. Ali is believed to be the mastermind behind a large-scale cattle smuggling network operating along the Assam–Meghalaya border.
Based on specific intelligence, police raided the area and seized 112 cattle, a Scorpio vehicle (AS 22 H 6489), and ₹90,000 in cash. The accused and the seized items were taken to Rani Police Outpost for further investigation.
According to police sources, Akram Ali headed a well-organized syndicate that smuggled cattle from the char (riverine) areas of South Kamrup into Bangladesh, using both road and river routes via the Brahmaputra. Investigations revealed that 9–10 Bolero pickup vans were used nightly to transport up to 150 cattle from areas like Goroimari, Sonatoli, and Hatipara, through National Highway 17 toward Rani, Joypur, and Sukurbaria, before crossing into Meghalaya.
Residents of Rani had long reported frequent nocturnal vehicle movements, raising concerns over border security.
Senior officials confirmed that the operation marks the beginning of a comprehensive crackdown on illegal cattle trafficking. Police have launched an extended probe to trace the full network and identify more accomplices.
Authorities emphasized strengthening border surveillance and inter-state coordination with Meghalaya to dismantle the entrenched smuggling trade. The arrest of Akram Ali is seen as a significant step toward ending organized cattle smuggling in the region.
