New Delhi: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted major operations across the North-East and the DRI cigarette seizure resulted in the recovery of 71 lakh foreign-origin smuggled cigarette sticks worth around ₹14 crore.
Officials said the operations carried out since May 2026 led to the arrest of four persons involved in the smuggling network.
DRI cigarette seizure reveals cross-border smuggling route
In a major operation on June 11, DRI officers seized over 45 lakh foreign-origin cigarette sticks of brands including Mond, XSo, ORIS and Patron in Mizoram.
The DRI carried out the operation with assistance from the 34th Battalion of Assam Rifles. Additionally, officials arrested one person during the operation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that smugglers brought the cigarettes into India from Myanmar through the Zokhawthar sector along the Indo-Myanmar border.
In separate operations conducted over the last few weeks, DRI officers seized another 26 lakh cigarette sticks. Moreover, authorities arrested three more persons in connection with those cases.
The agency continued its crackdown against illegal cigarette smuggling in the region to curb cross-border contraband activities and strengthen enforcement measures.
