Agartala, Dec 29: An Assam resident was arrested after Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Customs Department, intercepted a large consignment of illegally transported cigarettes in Tripura’s Khowai district, officials said.
The joint operation was conducted at Chakmaghat under the Teliamura subdivision after security forces acted on specific intelligence inputs received through internal sources and the 11 WEU. During the operation, personnel stopped a Tata truck and carried out a thorough search.
The inspection led to the recovery of around 6.5 lakh smuggled cigarettes packed inside 65 cartons. Officials estimated the value of the seized contraband at nearly ₹65 lakh, indicating a significant attempt at illegal trade.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Giashuddin, a resident of the Patharkandi area in Assam’s Karimganj district, was taken into custody at the spot. The truck used for transporting the cigarettes was also seized.
The arrested individual, along with the recovered cigarettes and the vehicle, was handed over to the Customs Department for further investigation and initiation of legal proceedings under the applicable provisions of law.
Officials said coordinated efforts between Assam Rifles and enforcement agencies would continue to curb smuggling and other unlawful activities across the region.
