DRI seizes 1.25 lakh kg smuggled areca nuts and 41,697 kg poppy seeds worth ₹20.31 crore in Mizoram and Assam
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said on 25 September 2026 that it seized 1,25,680 kg of foreign-origin areca nuts and 41,697 kg of foreign-origin poppy seeds, worth about ₹20.31 crore, in two operations in Mizoram and Assam.
Summary
On 23-24 September DRI, with Customs Champhai, the 14th Battalion Assam Rifles and Champhai Police, searched three godowns around Ruantlang village in Champhai district, about 20 km from the India-Myanmar border, and recovered the areca nuts. Four persons were arrested in connection with the poppy seeds. DRI called it one of the largest seizures of smuggled areca nuts in the North-East.
Key facts
- Seized
- 1,25,680 kg areca nuts + 41,697 kg poppy seeds (foreign origin), ~₹20.31 crore
- Areca nut raid
- Ruantlang village, Champhai district, Mizoram — ~20 km from Indo-Myanmar border
- Partners
- Customs Champhai, 14th Bn Assam Rifles, Champhai Police
- Arrests
- Four, linked to poppy seed transport
Practice MCQs 1 questions
In September 2026 DRI recovered over 1.25 lakh kg of smuggled areca nuts from godowns in Champhai district. Champhai is in which state?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Mizoram
The godowns were around Ruantlang village, Champhai district, Mizoram, about 20 km from the India-Myanmar border.