Aizawl: Officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Aizawl Regional Unit intercepted a truck at Tuirial village on the Champhai–Aizawl road, acting on specific intelligence that it was carrying a large quantity of foreign-origin cigarettes towards Aizawl, according to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release.

A thorough examination of the truck led to the recovery of 432 cases containing 43,20,000 sticks of 'Patron' brand foreign-origin cigarettes, valued at Rs 8.64 crore — yaani about Rs 86.4 million. The cigarette packets did not carry the mandatory pictorial and health warnings prescribed under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, the release said.

The cigarettes, along with the truck, were seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962, and the driver of the truck was arrested.

Preliminary investigation indicates the cigarettes had been smuggled into Mizoram from Myanmar through the Zokhawthar sector of the Mizoram–Myanmar border, highlighting the use of cross-border routes for the illicit movement of foreign-origin tobacco products.

The DRI said the seizure underscores its continued efforts to dismantle cross-border smuggling networks, curb the illegal movement of foreign-origin goods and strengthen enforcement along vulnerable international border routes.

Sources: Press Information Bureau release via Tripura Star News; NEWire.