The troops of the Assam Rifles, acting on a tipoff, launched operations along the Manipur-Myanmar border and apprehended 24 alleged smugglers with the recovery of around 52.1 tonnes of areca nuts (Supari) valued at approximately Rs 6.25 crores in the regional markets on Saturday, officials said.

The illegal items loaded in 12 Shaktiman trucks were seized in the operations conducted in General Area Phaikoh of Manipur’s Kamjong District bordering Myanmar on East on Saturday morning, according to a defense wing statement
A total of 24 individuals who were drivers/co-drivers were apprehended.  The trucks were coming from the International Border towards the Indian Side.

Based on intelligence inputs from across the border the troops of the Assam Rifles launched the operations and managed to nab the alleged smugglers along with the seized items. The apprehended smugglers along with the vehicles were handed over to the Forest Department, Kamjong for further legal proceedings, the statement added.