Poppy seeds worth over ₹18 Lakh seized by Assam Rifles in Mizoram

Oct. 14: In a major move, the Assam Rifles troops deployed in Mizoram recovered a huge consignment of poppy seeds (posto) worth Rs 18.83 lakh. On Tuesday, the Serchhip Battalion of HQ 23 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) carried on the operation successfully in the Champhai district of Mizoram.

The poppy seeds were recovered from a truck on the Tlangsam-Tyao Road in Champhai. During the operation, 140 bags of poppy seeds were recovered.The operation was carried out by a joint team of 8 Assam Rifles, 20 FIT and Customs Department, Champhai based on specific information. The seized items were then handed over to the Customs department.

Ongoing smuggling of Poppy seeds is a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram, especially along the India-Myanmar Border. In India opium poppy cultivation is prohibited under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985. except under a license issued by the Central Bureau of Narcotics under NDPS Rules, 1985.

Smuggling of poppy seeds (posto) from neighbouring Myanmar is a new item in the rampant illegal trade in various drugs. Two years ago, trucks full of poppy seeds while passing through Silchar brutally killed 2 persons and injured 19 during Durga Puja in Meherpur area, which then created great outrage among the people. Concerned citizens then aired the view that the vehicle carrying poppy seeds and entering illegally during no-entry hours at Silchar town raised suspicion of the role of police. Others even apprehended that it may be a part of the syndicate-Raj going on in the state.