Assam Rifles confiscates timber, areca nuts worth over Rs 25 crores in Manipur

Imphal: Assam Rifles has foiled smuggling of huge contraband timber and areca nuts in Kamjong district of Manipur.

Vigilant troops of the Assam Rifles foiled cross border smuggling of contraband in Kamjong district on Tuesday during a search operation in the region of Z Choro.

Seven Indian trucks were intercepted that were involved in the illegal transportation of timber lacking the necessary valid documentation, the Assam Rifles said.

Timber weighing approximately 1701 CFT, valued at Rs 14.45 lakh was seized. The confiscated timbers along with the drivers of the trucks were handed over to the Forest Beat officer of Kamjong, it added.

The Assam Rifles said, during the period of April 1 to 24, significant seizures encompassing 1940 bags of areca nuts weighing approximately 194 Tons and valued at Rs 23.28 crores and 24120 CFT of timber worth Rs 2.05 crores have been confiscated in the Kamjong district and handed over to the Forest Beat officer of Kamjong.

Assam Rifles is committed to preventing smuggling of contraband and narcotics items, thereby contributing to the prevention of drug abuse amongst the youth and also thwarting economic damage to the state cause by contraband items, it said.