In a major crackdown on illegal smuggling, Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Customs Department, recovered a huge consignment of contraband cigarettes during a joint operation at Chakmaghat in Teliamura subdivision of Khowai district on Monday.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs from own sources and 11 WEU, the operation was launched at around 9:15 am and continued till 1:30 pm. During the operation, a Tata truck bearing registration number TR-01-AP-1717 was intercepted and thoroughly searched.

Security personnel recovered 6.5 lakh contraband cigarettes (65 cartons) from the vehicle. The seized cigarettes are estimated to be worth approximately Rs 65 lakh in the international market, officials said.

The driver of the truck, identified as Giashuddin (36), son of Maynul Haque and a resident of Baitakhal Basti village in Patharkandi, Karimganj district of Assam, was apprehended on the spot.

The apprehended individual along with the seized contraband has been handed over to the Customs Department for further investigation and initiation of legal proceedings.

Officials stated that Assam Rifles, in close coordination with other enforcement agencies, remains committed to curbing illegal activities and strengthening security in the region.