Aizawl, May 22: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized nearly 60,000 kilograms of smuggled foreign-origin areca nuts during two major operations in the Northeast, the Ministry of Finance said on May 22.
The seizures were made by the DRI’s Guwahati Zonal Unit during separate operations conducted in Assam and Mizoram following specific intelligence inputs.
According to the ministry, preliminary findings indicated that the dried areca nuts had been illegally brought into India from Myanmar through the Myanmar–Mizoram border route. Officials said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to identify and dismantle organised smuggling networks operating in the region.
During one of the raids, DRI officials were assisted by Assam Rifles 38 Battalion. Authorities said five individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the smuggling network.
The Ministry of Finance stated that illegal inflows of areca nuts from neighbouring countries were affecting domestic growers and creating broader economic concerns in border regions.
Officials added that enforcement agencies would continue intensified action against cross-border smuggling activities in the Northeast.
In a separate development, the ministry also revealed that the DRI recently seized nearly three lakh electronic cigarettes and vaping devices valued at approximately ₹120 crore during a nationwide operation across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.
Investigators reportedly intercepted several consignments at ports, airports and Inland Container Depots after identifying suspicious imports allegedly declared under misleading categories to avoid customs checks. Preliminary findings indicated that the electronic cigarettes and vapes had originated from China and were concealed under descriptions such as “Furniture” and “Metal Chair Parts”.
The ministry reiterated that electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) remain prohibited in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, citing public health concerns.
