AR bust godown, seize areca nut consignment

Assam Rifles (AR) personnel raided a godown in Seithekema area, below Patkai Christian College (PCC) Seithekema C in Chümoukedima district on Thursday night and seized around 2,000 bags of areca nuts and other items worth several crores of rupees.
Based on specific input, the AR personnel launched an operation and seized the items, an official said on condition of anonymity. Though the official claimed that black pepper and poppy seeds were also seized during the raid, it was yet to be ascertained as no official statement had been issued on the seizure.
When media persons reached the spot, a person, claiming to be a local resident, alleged that the raid carried out by the Assam Rifles was “illegal” as there was no search warrant or presence of State police/magistrate during the raid.
The person, who also did not wish to disclose his identity, alleged that the AR personnel broke open the lock and carried out the raid when no one was present.
When asked about the seized items, he admitted that there were around 1,500 bags of locally grown areca nuts collected from several villages to be sent outside Nagaland. He claimed that there was nothing illegal about the items as the areca nuts were locally grown and exported after completing all paper works like GST, toll tax, etc. He estimated the seized goods to be approximately worth around Rs 80 lakh.
A police team reached the spot and the seized items and three trucks. The seized items were to be handed over the Customs Prevention department Dimapur for investigation. Police officials at the site did not wish to comment stating that the matter was under investigation.
Meanwhile, according to reports, it was claimed that the AR team seized approximately 200 tons of Burmese areca nuts along with 10,000 kgs of black pepper and 1400 kgs of poppy seeds, which were stocked in the godown for few months.