Manipur Police Seize Myanmar Cigarettes Worth Rs. 20 Lakh — Arrest Made in Tengnoupal
Manipur police, with assistance from the Assam Rifles, intercepted a vehicle on National Highway 102 (Moreh → Imphal) at the Tengnoupal checkpoint and seized 40 cartons of Myanmar cigarettes—valued at roughly ₹20 lakh. The driver, MD Sahid (35) of Kakching district, was arrested; the vehicle was detained and further interrogation is underway as police probe a suspected cross-border smuggling network.
What exactly happened at Tengnoupal — the facts on record
According to the police report published by Northeast Now (NE NOW / NENOW), the interception happened during a routine check on NH-102. Officers, suspecting the vehicle’s cargo, searched the car and found 40 cartons of Myanmar cigarettes. The driver, identified as MD Sahid (35) from Sora Karanchi Mayai Leikai, Irengband, Kakching, was arrested on the spot. The Assam Rifles team assisted the operation, and police say early investigations point to smuggling—transportation without proper documentation—rather than lawful cross-border trade. The vehicle and driver are detained and the driver is being interrogated to identify others possibly involved in the network.
That short paragraph contains the key load-bearing facts: the seizure location (Tengnoupal checkpoint), the highway (NH-102), the quantity (40 cartons), the value (~₹20 lakh), the arrested person’s name and origin, and Assam Rifles’ involvement—all drawn directly from the police briefing reported by the outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) How many cartons and what was their estimated value?
Police recovered 40 cartons of Myanmar cigarettes, estimated at around ₹20 lakh in value, after intercepting the vehicle at Tengnoupal checkpoint.
2) Who was arrested and where was the vehicle heading?
The driver MD Sahid (35) from Kakching district was arrested; the vehicle was travelling from Moreh to Imphal on NH-102 when intercepted.
3) Which agencies assisted in the seizure?
The Assam Rifles assisted the Manipur police in the operation at Tengnoupal. Joint action is common in border districts for security and enforcement.
4) Why are cigarettes smuggled across the India–Myanmar border so often?
High taxes, low production costs, compact size and easy resale make cigarettes a lucrative, low-risk commodity for smugglers—hence recurring seizures in border areas. Reducing demand and increasing multi-agency enforcement are needed to curb the trade
5) What should local residents do if they suspect smuggling?
Report suspicious movements or offers of cheap foreign tobacco to local police or relevant hotlines; avoid buying contraband; and support legitimate retailers to help reduce the informal market. Community tips often provide the leads that make seizures possible.
