Agartala: May 16: In a major crackdown on illegal trade, the Assam Rifles seized at least 170 cartons of banned foreign cigarettes from the Chandrapur area in Agartala on Monday. The contraband, valued at approximately ₹5.1 crore in the international market, was confiscated during a swift operation based on specific intelligence input.
According to an official press release issued by the Assam Rifles, the operation was launched following credible information about the storage of contraband items in the area. Acting promptly, troops raided the location and seized the foreign cigarette consignment, believed to have been smuggled across the international border.
The seized items were later handed over to the Customs Department for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Officials from the Assam Rifles highlighted that this successful operation reflects their continued commitment to curbing cross-border smuggling and protecting the country’s economic interests. The force remains on high alert in the border regions of Tripura, where smuggling of contraband goods — including narcotics, foreign cigarettes, and other banned items — has been a recurring issue.
The Assam Rifles has stepped up its surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations across vulnerable border zones to detect and prevent such illegal activities. Security experts note that smuggled foreign cigarettes not only lead to massive revenue losses for the country but also often fund other forms of organized crime.
By intercepting such consignments, the Assam Rifles is playing a crucial role in maintaining national security and economic integrity. Authorities have assured that further investigations are underway to trace the network behind this consignment and prevent future attempts of similar nature.
