Imphal : A total of 399 bags of areca nuts (supari) worth around Rs 484 crores in the regional markets has been recovered from 3 trucks driven by the Myanmar smugglers during operations conducted by the Indian security forces along the porous Indo-Myanmar border in the eastern parts of Manipur, a defense wing press statement said here on Saturday.

A team of Assam Rifles, based on reliable inputs about the movement of contraband items along the Indo-Myanmar border, launched to dominate the suspected areas. On thorough search, 209 bags of Areca Nuts (Supari) worth around Rs 2.50 crore as per regional market rate were found being illegally smuggled in 3 Myanmarese trucks in General Area Sangka Lok Nala track near Border Pillar-99 through the international border towards the Indian side.

Altogether, 209 bags of Areca Nuts valued at Rs 2.50 crore along with 3 Myanmarese vehicles were handed over to Forest Department, Kamjong for further legal proceedings.

In another follow-up operation, another team of Assam Rifles on an extensive search of the vehicle, 190 bags of Areca Nuts (Supari) worth around Rs 2.34 crore were found being illegally smuggled in 3 Myanmarese trucks in General Area Sangka Lok Nala track (Near BP-98) through international border towards Indian side.

The 190 bags of Areca Nuts valued at Rs 2.34 crore along with 3 apprehended individuals named Wynwyn, Thuntun & Aungshun were handed over to the Forest Department, Kamjong district of Manipur for further legal proceedings.