Assam Police STF Seizes 22,000 Boxes of Foreign Cigarettes, Nabs Four

The Assam Police's Special Task Force seized 22,000 boxes of foreign cigarettes from a truck in Amingaon, Kamrup district, and apprehended four individuals. Acting on an intelligence tip-off, the STF team intercepted the vehicle, leading to further arrests and ongoing investigations.

The Assam Police's Special Task Force (STF) has seized a massive haul of 22,000 boxes of foreign cigarettes in the Amingaon area of Kamrup district, said an official statement on Wednesday. A person was apprehended, and three others were detained in connection with the seizure.

According to Pranab Jyoti Goswami, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Assam Police, the STF acted on an intelligence input indicating that foreign cigarettes, flouting the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and tax regulations, were being transported from Silchar to Raipur via a truck. The truck, bearing the registration number HR-38Z-8530, was intercepted in Amingaon. Upon inspection, officials discovered 11 large cartons of foreign cigarettes concealed beneath furniture consignments, amounting to 22,000 boxes and approximately 440,000 individual cigarettes. The driver, Parashu Baishya, was immediately taken into custody.

The driver's confession led to a raid at MR King Godown in Boragaon, where manager Sahil Dewan and two others, Ashique Ikbal and Ajit Saloi, were detained. Legal proceedings are underway, and further investigations are in progress to uncover more details.

In a separate incident, Assam Police also seized 30,000 Yaba tablets worth Rs 9 crore in Cachar district. Acting on a specific tip-off, the police conducted a search operation in the Katakhal area on the night of July 27, resulting in the arrest of Abdul Alim, a resident of Saptagram village. A scooty used for the illegal transportation of narcotics from Aizawl was also seized.

(With inputs from agencies.)