Cachar Police seized 34,400 packs of foreign-made cigarettes and arrested two alleged smugglers during an operation near the Balachara toll gate on the Silchar–Haflong National Highway. The haul, recovered from a truck stopped by officers, is believed to have been transported illegally and is said to be worth several lakh rupees.
A team from Barkhola Police Station intercepted the vehicle as it was headed toward Guwahati and conducted a search. Officers found a large consignment of ESSE Lights cigarettes concealed in the truck, which prompted the immediate detention of the driver and his assistant on suspicion of smuggling.
The two men remain in police custody while authorities prepare further legal action. Cachar Police have registered a case and said an investigation is underway to determine the origin of the consignment, its intended destination and whether the seized shipment is linked to a wider smuggling network.
Police officials indicated the probe will focus on identifying other individuals or groups involved in the illegal transport and distribution of the cigarettes. The seizure underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb cross-border and inland smuggling that can evade taxation and regulatory controls.
