**Summary of DRI Operations against Cigarette Smuggling in the North-East Region**
On June 12, 2026, the Ministry of Finance announced that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) successfully conducted multiple coordinated operations to crack down on the smuggling of foreign-origin cigarettes in India's North-Eastern Region.
**Key Metrics and Data Points:**
* **Total Seizures:** Approximately 71,00,000 (71 lakh) sticks of smuggled foreign-origin cigarettes.
* **Total Estimated Value:** Cumulative value of approximately Rs. 14 crore.
* **Total Arrests:** Four persons have been apprehended.
* **Operational Timeframe:** Operations have been ongoing since May 2026.
**Specific Operation Details:**
* **Mizoram (June 11, 2026):** In a major operation assisted by the 34th Battalion of the Assam Rifles, the DRI seized over 45 lakh sticks of various brands, including Mond, XSo, ORIS, and Patron. One person was arrested in connection with this case.
* **Smuggling Route:** Preliminary investigations indicate the cigarettes were smuggled into India from Myanmar via the Zokhawthar sector along the Indo-Myanmar border.
* **Other Operations:** In the weeks preceding the Mizoram raid, a series of other operations resulted in the seizure of 26 lakh cigarette sticks and the arrest of three individuals.
**Administrative Information:**
* **Originating Agency:** PIB Delhi / Ministry of Finance
* **Release ID:** 2272123
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): The primary intelligence and enforcement agency of India responsible for anti-smuggling operations that led the coordinated crackdown in the North Eastern Region.
North Eastern Region: The central geographical area of the operations, specifically involving Mizoram and the Zokhawthar sector along the Indo-Myanmar border used for smuggling.
Assam Rifles: The paramilitary force, specifically the 34th Battalion, which provided critical assistance to the DRI during the major seizure operation in Mizoram.
Ministry of Finance
DRI seizes 71 lakh smuggled foreign-origin
cigarette sticks worth Rs. 14 crore in North-East
Region; four persons arrested
प्रव तथ: 12 JUN 2026 4:04PM by PIB Delhi
In a major crackdown against smuggling of foreign origin cigarettes, the Directorate of Revenue
Intelligence (DRI) carried out multiple coordinated operations in the North Eastern Region.
Since May 2026, operations conducted by DRI have led to a total seizure of about 71,00,000 sticks of
foreign-origin smuggled cigarettes across the North Eastern Region, valued cumulatively at approximately
Rs. 14 crore and along with arrest of 4 persons.
Among major operations, DRI seized more than 45 lakh sticks of foreign-origin cigarettes of brands such
as Mond, XSo, ORIS and Patron in Mizoram on 11th June 2026. This operation was carried out with the
assistance of the 34th Battalion, Assam Rifles. One person has been arrested in the case. Preliminary
investigation indicates that the cigarettes were smuggled into the country from Myanmar through the
Zokhawthar sector along the Indo-Myanmar border.
In a series of operations in last few weeks another 26 lakh such cigarettes have been seized, and 3 persons
have been arrested.
****NB/KMN
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