2,200 KG "Burmese Supari" worth Rs 11 lakh seized in Cachar's Lailapur; Vehicles were plying from Mizoram

One of the alleged masterminds behind the Burmese betel nut smuggling racket, Nayan Ghosh is in jail. But that does not stop the illegal transportation of the materials imported without proper documents. The goods are then smuggled through Mizoram to Cachar and using this gateway, it is sold at various parts of the country.

Today, during routine checking at the Lailapur Check Gate in Dholai, Cachar Police stopped three passenger-Tata Sumo vehicles. The officials recovered 2,200 kilograms Burmese Supari from the three vehicles. As per Police sources, the vehicles were loaded in Mizoram’s Aizawl and they were headed to Karimganj district.

The officials informed that three drivers of the three vehicles have been detained for interrogation. The drivers have been identified as Abdul Wahid, Abdul Helim and Tahir Ali. Police sources informed that all three of them are residents of Kaliganj in Karimganj.

As per industry estimates, the Burmese betel nuts cost Rs 500 per kilogram in this region. At this rate, the confiscated consignment costs around Rs 11 lakh.

The Burmese Supari handlers are a racket spread across the country and their bosses are reportedly stationed in Indonesia and Malaysia. Nayan Ghosh, who is now in the custody of Cachar Police is alleged to be a part of this gang. These betel nuts are sold at a high price to the Gutka and Pan Masala marketers and Barak Valley is used as a gateway to transport these goods from Mizoram.

Since the time Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma took over as the chief minister of Assam, the Assam Police has intensified the drive to nab vehicles carrying betel nuts without proper documentation.