Areca Nuts and Poppy Seeds Seized in North East

Ø DRI seizes over 125,000 kg foreign-origin smuggled areca nuts and 41,000 kg poppy seeds worth around Rs. 20.31 crore in Assam and Mizoram in a crackdown on cross-border smuggling; four arrested

Ø This is one of the largest seizure of smuggled areca nuts in North-East Region

Major Seizure

· 1,25,680 kg foreign-origin areca nuts seized in Mizoram (worth ~₹14 crore).

· 41,697 kg foreign-origin poppy seeds seized in Mizoram & Assam (worth ~₹6.24 crore).

· Total value: ~₹20.31 crore.

· Four arrests linked to transportation of smuggled poppy seeds.

Operations

· Mizoram (23–24 Sept): Search of godowns near Indo-Myanmar border recovered areca nuts & poppy seeds.

· Assam (22 Sept): Interception of two trucks near Lailapur, Silchar recovered 16,257 kg poppy seeds.

Smuggling Route

· Goods suspected to be smuggled from Myanmar.

· Seized under Customs Act, 1962.

Regulatory Context

· Poppy seeds: Classified as “Restricted” under Foreign Trade Policy; imports allowed only under strict conditions.

Significance

· One of the largest seizures of smuggled areca nuts in North-East India.

· Highlights DRI’s focus on curbing smuggling networks along the India–Myanmar border.

[ABS News Service/26.09.2026]

Posted On: 25 SEP 2026 4:42PM by PIB Delhi

Continuing its sustained crackdown on cross-border smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has seized 1,25,680 kg of foreign-origin areca nuts and 41,697 kg foreign-origin poppy seeds, collectively valued at approximately Rs. 20.31 crore, in two intelligence-led operations in Mizoram and Assam. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the transportation of the smuggled poppy seeds.

On 23-24.09.26, in a major intelligence led operation in Mizoram, DRI with the assistance of Customs Champhai, 14th Battalion Assam Rifles and Champhai Police, searched three godowns in and around Ruantlang village, Champhai District, located approximately 20 km from the Indo-Myanmar border. All the premises were found locked and unattended. The search of the premises resulted in the recovery of 1,25,680 kg suspected foreign-origin areca nuts valued at around Rs. 14 Crore and 25,440 kg of poppy seeds valued at Rs. 3.81 crore. Preliminary investigation indicated that the goods had been smuggled into India from Myanmar. The goods were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Earlier on 22.09.26, based on specific intelligence regarding transportation of foreign-origin poppy seeds from the Mizoram border area towards Assam, DRI officers with the assistance of 38 Battalion Assam Rifles, intercepted two trucks near Lailapur, Silchar. Detailed examination and rummaging of the vehicles resulted in the recovery of 290 HDPE bags containing 16,257 kg foreign-origin poppy seeds. The bags bore markings indicative of foreign manufacture and trade, and the consignment was not accompanied by valid import documents. The poppy seeds, valued at approximately Rs 2.43 crore, along with the two vehicles, were seized under the Customs Act, 1962. Four persons involved in the transportation were arrested.

The seizure of foreign-origin smuggled areca nuts, one of the largest seizures of the commodity in recent years in the North-Eastern region of the country, is a significant achievement in DRI’s efforts to curb cross-border smuggling.

Poppy seeds are classified as a “Restricted” item under the ITC (HS) Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy, with import permitted subject to specified conditions, including sourcing from designated countries and registration of import contracts with the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior.

The seizures highlight DRI’s continued focus on intercepting smuggling networks operating through the vulnerable India-Myanmar border and preventing illicit entry of restricted and foreign-origin agricultural commodities into the country.