Guwahati, June 12: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized around 71 lakh sticks of foreign-origin smuggled cigarettes worth nearly ₹14 crore in a series of coordinated operations across the Northeast since May, arresting four persons in the process.

In the largest seizure, DRI officials, assisted by the 34th Battalion of Assam Rifles, intercepted more than 45 lakh sticks of foreign-made cigarettes in Mizoram on June 11. The consignment included brands such as Mond, XSo, ORIS and Patron.

One person was arrested in connection with the operation.

According to preliminary investigations, the cigarettes were smuggled into India from Myanmar through the Zokhawthar sector along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Officials said the latest seizure is part of an intensified crackdown on cross-border smuggling networks operating in the Northeast.

In a series of separate operations carried out over the past few weeks, DRI also seized another 26 lakh sticks of foreign-origin cigarettes and arrested three more individuals.

The cumulative seizures of about 71 lakh cigarette sticks highlight the scale of illicit tobacco trafficking through the region, which shares extensive international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The DRI said investigations are underway to identify the larger smuggling syndicates and trace the supply chains behind the seized consignments.