Troops of the Assam Rifles intercepted a major cigarette smuggling attempt in Manipur’s Noney district on Saturday, seizing contraband valued at approximately ₹2.9 crore.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, personnel set up a mobile vehicle check post along State Highway-06. A vehicle travelling from Churachandpur towards Kangpokpi was stopped and thoroughly searched during the operation.

According to the Headquarters Inspector General, Assam Rifles (East), the search led to the recovery of 23 cartons of Gudang Garam cigarettes and 65 cartons of Mond Variance cigarettes concealed inside the vehicle.

Two individuals were arrested in connection with the seizure. The confiscated cigarettes along with the vehicle have been handed over to the concerned authorities for further legal proceedings.