DRI Seizes Foreign Origin Cigarettes Worth Rs. 14.74 Crore in Mizoram
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence carried out coordinated actions in Mizoram on 21 and 22 November 2025 targeting the smuggling of foreign origin cigarettes in the North Eastern Region. The operations, conducted under the name OPERATION FILTER OUT, were supported by the Assam Rifles and the Border Security Force.
First Case: Interception and Searches in Kanhmun
In the early hours of 21.11.2025, officers intercepted a suspected vehicle at Kanhmun in Mamit District. A total of 165 cartons containing 16,50,000 sticks of cigarettes under the brands Oris, Win and Benson & Hedges were found inside the vehicle. A subsequent search at a residential premises functioning as a storage location in Kanhmun resulted in the recovery of 110 cartons comprising 11,00,000 sticks of Oris and Benson & Hedges Blue Gold. Another search at a separate storage facility in the same area led to the recovery of 87 cartons with 8,70,000 sticks of Paris Special Filter, XSO Black Fruits and Benson & Hedges Blue Gold. These actions together resulted in the recovery of 36.20 lakh sticks of foreign origin cigarettes and the arrest of two individuals.
Second Case: Searches in Lunglei
On 22.11.2025, officers searched two storage facilities and a residential premises located in the Chandmari locality of Lunglei. A total of 375 cartons containing 37,50,000 sticks of foreign origin cigarettes of brands Oris, Win, V, Far Star, Esse Light, Patron, Mond and Valiant were recovered. One person was taken into custody.
Total Seizure and Initial Findings
Overall, 73,70,000 sticks of foreign origin cigarettes valued at Rs. 14.74 crore were seized during the operations. The seized cigarette packets were found without the mandatory pictorial and health warnings required under the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.
Preliminary findings indicate that the cigarettes were brought into Mizoram from Myanmar through the Zokhawthar route along the Indo-Myanmar border. The recovered cigarettes and the vehicle involved have been seized under the Customs Act, 1962, and three individuals have been arrested.