Guwahati, June 21 (IANS) Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), seized a huge consignment of poppy seeds valued at around Rs 1.31 crore in Assam’s Cachar district and apprehended two persons, officials said on Sunday.

According to the Assam Rifles, the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the trafficking of contraband through the district.

Acting on the information, a joint team of Assam Rifles and DRI intercepted a vehicle on Silchar Bypass Road late on Saturday evening and recovered 8,764 kg of poppy seeds being transported in a truck.

Officials said the seized consignment is estimated to be worth approximately Rs 1.31 crore in the illegal market. Two residents of Silchar were apprehended during the operation.

The authorities also seized a Tata truck used for transporting the consignment and two mobile handsets from their possession. The recovered poppy seeds, along with the apprehended individuals and other seized items, have been handed over to the DRI for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Officials said the operation highlights the continued efforts of security and enforcement agencies to curb the movement of contraband and illegal substances in the northeastern region.

Assam Rifles stated that it has been working closely with the DRI and other law enforcement agencies to disrupt trafficking networks operating across the region.

Regular intelligence-based operations have led to several major seizures in recent months, dealing significant blows to smuggling syndicates.

The force said the latest seizure marks another important success in the ongoing campaign against contraband trafficking and reflects the commitment of security agencies to maintaining law and order in the region.

Investigators are now probing the source and intended destination of the consignment and are examining possible links to larger trafficking networks operating in the Northeast.

–IANS

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