Aizawl, April 17: In a crackdown against illegal smuggling of areca nuts, the Mizoram police and the Assam Rifles have seized 5.44 lakh kgs of areca nuts valued at Rs 31.73 crore in the past 100 days.

These areca nuts were smuggled from Myanmar.

Following the directives of the state government, the police are making all out efforts in the fight against illegal transportation of smuggled dry areca nuts, resulting in significant seizures during the past 100 days (from January 1 to April 10, 2023).

The police have so far registered 19 FIRs and arrested 61 persons in connection with the smuggling and illegal transportation of areca nuts.

Due to large-scale smuggling from Myanmar and Assam government’s transportation restrictions, areca nut farmers in the northeastern states, especially Mizoram and Tripura, are affected a lot and are seeking central intervention.

The illicit trade of areca nut is on the rise with the security forces, including the Assam Rifles, often seizing thousands of tonnes of the product, along with drugs, exotic animals and other goods smuggled from Myanmar.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue our efforts with active support and participation of civil society and all stakeholders for complete stoppage of illegal transportation of smuggled areca nuts,” a police official said.