Four arrested in Mokokchung for areca nut smuggling

MOKOKCHUNG — The Special Operation Team of Mokokchung, led by the additional superintendent of police, intercepted two trucks and seized around 4,000 kilograms of suspected smuggled areca nuts during a late-night operation on September 21.

According to police, the trucks, bearing registration numbers AS 01 SC 9997 (Eicher) and AS 26 AC 075S (Ashok Leyland), were stopped along the stretch of NH 02 at around 11:20 pm.

The areca nuts, 2,000 kilograms in each truck, were concealed beneath the vehicles’ body floors. Police said the consignment was valued in lakhs of rupees.

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Four individuals from Barpeta, Assam, were apprehended in connection with the case. They were identified as Sanowar Khan (32), Akbar Ali Dewan (21), Nur Mohammad Ali (22), and Jahidul Islam (27).

Police said the accused failed to produce valid challans or documents, raising suspicion of illegal transportation. The seizure was formally recorded under PS-II General Diary Entry No. 05/2025 dated September 21, in the presence of the accused.

The confiscated goods and the four arrested individuals have been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner, Customs (Preventive) Division, Dimapur, for further legal proceedings.

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