Siliguri, February 9, 2026 – In a major crackdown on cross-border smuggling, Bagdogra police intercepted a truck carrying a large consignment of foreign-made cigarettes valued at approximately ₹15 lakh, which was being transported from Manipur’s Imphal to Bihar.
Acting on a tip-off from reliable sources, a team from Bagdogra Police Station conducted a vehicle check at the Jungli Baba More area near Bagdogra on the Assam-numbered truck. During the search, officers discovered heavy sacks filled with foreign cigarettes concealed inside the vehicle.
The seized cigarettes, believed to be of international brands, were being smuggled illegally to Bihar for distribution in local markets. The market value of the recovered consignment has been estimated at around ₹15 lakh.
Two individuals were arrested in connection with the case. They have been identified as Meheruddin and Sumir Ali. Police sources confirmed that the contraband originated from Imphal in Manipur and was destined for Bihar.
The operation highlights the ongoing efforts by local police to curb the illegal trade of foreign tobacco products, which often evade customs duties and pose health risks due to unregulated quality. Such smuggling routes through the Northeast corridor frequently exploit porous borders and heavy traffic on highways.
A case has been registered under the applicable Acts, with this seizure forming part of intensified crackdowns on Northeast-mainland highways.
