Assam Rifles seized 56,000 kg of illegal betel nuts, worth Rs 1.7 crore, during an operation on a state highway in Manipur’s Noney district. The consignment was handed over to forest officials as authorities continued their crackdown on illegal trafficking
Assam Rifles seized a large consignment of illegal betel nuts from State Highway MN-06 in the Noney district of Manipur on Tuesday. Representational pic
Assam Rifles on Wednesday seized a large consignment of illegal betel nuts during an operation conducted along State Highway MN-06 in the Noney district of Manipur, news agency ANI reported.
Acting on specific intelligence regarding the illegal movement of betel nuts, Assam Rifles launched an operation on Tuesday. During the search, troops recovered and seized 560 bags of betel nuts, each weighing 100 kg.
The total quantity seized was 56,000 kg (56 metric tonnes), with an estimated market value of approximately Rs 1.7 crore, reported ANI, quoting officers.
The seized contraband has been handed over to the divisional forest officer (DFO), Noney, for further legal action in accordance with existing procedures.
Assam Rifles said that the operation reflects its continued commitment to curbing illegal activities and maintaining law and order in the region and that it is working closely with civil authorities to ensure peace and stability in Manipur.
Earlier, Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), seized Yaba tablets worth Rs 39 crore in the Cachar district of Assam, ANI reported.
Based on specific information on drug trafficking, Assam Rifles and DRI launched an operation in the district. During the operation, three individuals, residents of Tripura, were apprehended late at night on November 20, 2025, while transporting 1.30 lakh Yaba tablets via NH-306.
Officers said that two trucks and two mobile phones in their possession were also recovered. While the operation continues to strike illegal trafficking of contraband, the officers said that further investigation into the matter is underway.
Assam Rifles tracks down illegal drug trafficking
In another development, Assam Rifles also apprehended an individual for his involvement in the illegal transportation of foreign currency and the smuggling of tobacco and foreign cigarettes earlier on Tuesday.
According to the official statement from Assam Rifles, “Based on specific intelligence received from its own sources regarding trafficking, Assam Rifles launched an operation and established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post in the general area of Tuipang, Siaha district, to intercept the consignment.”
At 3.35 am, the Assam Rifles team intercepted a tipper. During the search of the vehicle, foreign currency amounting to 17,500,000 Burmese kyat (Myanmar currency) was recovered, along with two cases of smuggled tobacco worth Rs 50,000 and one case of foreign cigarettes worth Rs 1.30 lakh.
The official statement added that the apprehended individual is a resident of Rakhine State, Myanmar.
The recovered contraband and the apprehended individual were handed over to Police Station Tuipang, Siaha district, for further legal proceedings, the release added.
(With inputs from ANI)
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