These goods, valued at approx Rs 460 crores, were seized by the Customs Department for violation of the Customs Act, NDPS Act and the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act.
The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam police seized 22,000 boxes of foreign cigarettes in the Amingaon area of Assam's Kamrup district, an official said.
In a crackdown on smuggling activities, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Mumbai Zonal Unit (MZU) seized a staggering 53.64 lakh foreign-branded cigarette sticks worth more than Rs 8 crores.
Shockingly, since its implementation in July 2022, the illicit sector's share has grown from 37% in the financial year 2021-22 to 63% by the end of 2023-24. This increase is expected to cause a revenue loss of Pakistan rupee (PKR) 310 billion to the government in FY24.
In yet another success in its crusade against smuggling activities, Assam Rifles recovered illegal foreign-origin cigarettes and liquor worth 10.12 Lakh at Zokhawthar in Champhai district on Saturday, said an official statement from Assam Rifles.
While 380 cases and 36 cartons of foreign origin cigarettes worth Rs 4.94 Crore were recovered from Ruantlang, Champhai, 127.42 grams of heroine (No. 4) worth Rs 89.18 lakhs were recovered from Zokhawthar, Champhai.
In a breakthrough in its ongoing operation against smuggling, the Serchhip Battalion of Assam Rifles, under the aegis of Inspector General Assam Rifles (East), recovered 235 cases of foriegn cigarettes worth Rs 3.525 crore in a general area Melbuk Refugee Camp, Zokhawthar, in Champhai distri
"The seized consignment was handed over to the Customs department, Champhai on March 14, 2023, for further legal proceedings," Assam Rifles said in a statement on Wednesday.
As many as 70 cases of illegal foreign-origin cigarettes worth Rs 1.05 crore were recovered at Champhai's Tlangsam by the Serchhip Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) on Friday.