In a late-night operation on September 21, the Special Operation Team (SOT) led by the Additional Superintendent of Police, Mokokchung, intercepted and seized two trucks carrying suspected smuggled areca nuts weighing approximately 4,000 kilograms.
According to police, the operation was carried out around 11:20 p.m. when the two trucks — an Eicher (AS 01 SC 9997) and an Ashok Leyland (AS 26 AC 0758) — were stopped for inspection.
Upon checking, police discovered that each truck was transporting 2,000 kilograms of areca nuts concealed in a hidden storage compartment built beneath the vehicle’s body floor.
Four persons from Barpeta district, Assam were apprehended in connection with the case:
·Sanowar Khan (32), Balikuri
·Akbar Ali Dewan (21), Satrakanara
·Nur Mhammad Ali (22), Baghbar
·Jahidul Islam (27), Bhulukabari
Police stated that the individuals failed to produce valid challans or documents as required by law, leading to the seizure. The operation was registered at Police Station-II, Mokokchung, under General Diary Entry (GDE) No. 05/2025 dated September 21.
Following legal procedures, the seized items along with the four accused have been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner, Customs (Preventive) Division, Dimapur, for further action.