Aizawl, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Mizoram Police, in a series of coordinated operations over the past two days, seized drugs, Myanmar-origin areca nuts (betel nuts) and other contraband worth around Rs 4.21 crore and arrested nine drug peddlers and smugglers, including two Myanmar nationals, officials said on Thursday.
A police official said that the Champhai Police Special Task Force intercepted a Bolero vehicle on suspicion while it was proceeding towards Champhai, which borders Myanmar. The vehicle was driven by Rajiv Hussein Laskar (26) and accompanied by Jinuk Uddin Laskar (30), both residents of Silchar in Assam's Cachar district.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of nine bags containing approximately 210 kg of suspected dehydrated manta ray/mobula gill plates, concealed inside. The seized consignment has an estimated international black-market value of Rs 2.30 crore and is believed to be among the largest of its kind in Mizoram.
As the recovered items are suspected to have been obtained from species protected under wildlife laws, the seized contraband, the vehicle and the two accused were handed over to the Divisional Forest Officer, Champhai Forest Division, for scientific examination and further legal action under the relevant provisions of law.
In another operation, a joint team of the Aizawl District Special Branch (DSB) and the Assam Rifles seized 1.955 kg of highly addictive methamphetamine, valued at approximately Rs 1.60 crore, from the possession of Marcus Lalvenpuia (19), a resident of Mamit district.
In two other separate operations, heroin worth around Rs 15 lakh was seized from Zokhawthar in Champhai district, and two Myanmar nationals were arrested in connection with the case.
In yet another operation, a Special Team of the Saitual Police intercepted a truck at the Kualmawi Check Gate during routine checking. The driver attempted to flee but was apprehended after a brief chase. The accused, Fulchand Ali Mondal (35), a resident of Assam's Dhubri district, was found in possession of 102 grams of suspected heroin concealed inside the vehicle.
The contraband, packed in nine soap cases, has an estimated illicit market value of Rs 20.40 lakh. The narcotics were seized after following all legal formalities, and further investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, personnel posted at the Champhai Khankawn Police Check Gate intercepted a tank lorry during routine checking and seized 2,960 kg of dry areca nuts valued at around Rs 10.36 lakh, suspected to have been illegally smuggled from Myanmar.
As the driver failed to produce valid documents for transporting the consignment, the goods were suspected to have been illegally imported into the country. The seized vehicle and the contraband were subsequently handed over to the Customs Preventive Force in Champhai for further legal action.
Officials said Mizoram has emerged as a major drug trafficking corridor in the Northeast because of its long unfenced international border with Myanmar, which forms part of the notorious "Golden Triangle" -- one of the world's largest illicit narcotics-producing regions.
The state shares a 510-km unfenced international border with Myanmar and a 318-km border with Bangladesh, making it particularly vulnerable to cross-border smuggling of narcotics, wildlife products and other contraband.
Source: IANS
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