“Burmese Supari” Smuggling Reroutes Through Manipur, Oil Tankers with Tonnes of Nuts Stopped in Cachar

In a major crackdown on the illicit trade of Burmese Areca Nuts, the Cachar district police, led by Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta, intercepted two oil tankers with an individual capacity of 5000 liters each, suspected to be filled with contraband Areca Nuts. The incident unfolded at the interstate border in Jirighat, where miscreants attempted to evade authorities.

According to SP Mahatta, the police attempted to halt the oil tankers, which were en route from Manipur to Assam, at the Jirighat interstate check gate. Instead of complying, the drivers accelerated, breaching the checkpoint. Prompt communication between Jirighat and Lakhipur Police Stations led to the discovery of an abandoned oil tanker subsequently seized by authorities. Simultaneously, Joypur Police of Cachar seized another oil tanker, also found abandoned.

The suspicion of illegal activity intensified when the Cachar SP, Numal Mahatta, arrived at the scene. Gas-cutters were employed to access the contents of the oil tanker, revealing a cache of thousands of kilograms of suspected Burmese Areca Nuts. Both seized oil tankers were registered in Bongaigaon.

This incident sheds light on a significant shift in the modus operandi of the Burmese Areca Nut smuggling nexus. Historically operating through the Myanmar-Assam route via Mizoram, the illicit network appears to have rerouted its activities, now utilizing Manipur as a gateway into Assam. This shift not only poses a challenge to law enforcement but also raises concerns about the effectiveness of border controls.

It is noteworthy that the alleged mastermind behind this illegal trade is reportedly based in Indonesia, orchestrating operations that bypass the international trade and taxation systems. The rerouting through Manipur and Cachar has far-reaching consequences, causing substantial revenue losses for both the Indian government and the respective states. Additionally, it jeopardizes the livelihoods of Indian Areca Nut or Betel Nut farmers, as the smuggled nuts find their way into Gutka and Pan Masala factories across the country.

Authorities are now intensifying efforts to dismantle this intricate smuggling network, emphasizing the need for enhanced cooperation between states and more robust border security measures. The successful interception in Cachar serves as a testament to the vigilance of law enforcement agencies in curbing illegal activities that threaten both economic interests and public health.