The Assam Rifles has carried out a series of coordinated operations across the Northeast, leading to the destruction of a large illegal ganja plantation in Tripura and the seizure of narcotics and counterfeit goods in other states, officials said on Wednesday.Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Assam Rifles launched a joint operation on January 7 in the Dhanpur, Induria, Kacchakhala and Dhanmura areas of Tripura, located around 66 kilometres south of Agartala. The drive was conducted along with the Border Security Force, Tripura Police, Tripura State Rifles and the Forest Department. During the operation, security forces uprooted and destroyed nearly six lakh young ganja plants spread across about 200 acres of land. Officials estimated the market value of the destroyed crop at around Rs 36 crore. According to an official release, the action was taken to curb illegal cultivation and prevent the use of forest and rural land for drug-related activities.
Officials said the operation highlighted the importance of close coordination among different agencies to deal with organised drug networks operating in remote and border areas.In a separate operation in Assam, the Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Customs Department, recovered counterfeit cigarettes worth approximately Rs 34 lakh from a godown in Silchar. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fake cigarettes were being routed through Silchar for distribution within the state. Authorities said further inquiry is underway to identify those involved in the racket.
Earlier, another major success was reported from Mizoram, where the Assam Rifles, working jointly with the Mizoram Police, seized a large quantity of methamphetamine tablets near the Indo-Myanmar border. Acting on credible intelligence, the joint team conducted an operation in the Kaifang area of Saitual district and recovered 11.062 kilograms of the banned substance.The seized drugs, valued at over Rs 33 crore in the international market, along with a vehicle used for transportation, were handed over to Mizoram Police, Saitual, for further investigation and legal action.