New Delhi: In a significant move against cross-border narcotics, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out its maiden searches along the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram on Thursday, targeting a sprawling drug trafficking and money laundering network. The raids also extended to Assam and Gujarat.
During the operation, the ED seized cash worth Rs 35 lakh and several digital devices. The searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at multiple locations including Aizawl and Champhai in Mizoram, Sribhumi in Karimganj (Assam), and Ahmedabad (Gujarat).
Background of the Investigation
The investigation stems from a Mizoram Police FIR regarding the seizure of 4.72 kg of heroin, valued at Rs 1.41 crore, from six individuals. ED officials said these are the first-ever agency-led searches along the Champhai stretch of the India-Myanmar border, a key route for narcotics smuggling. India shares a 1,643 km eastern frontier with Myanmar.
Financial and Operational Links
Financial analysis of the arrested individuals revealed links between some Mizoram firms and Gujarat-based companies. The Gujarat firms allegedly supplied Pseudoephedrine tablets and Caffeine Anhydrous – precursors for methamphetamine production – to Mizoram entities connected to smugglers operating via Champhai. Hawala transactions were reportedly conducted through habitual offenders, and certain financial flows were traced to Kolkata-based shell companies involved in procuring Caffeine Anhydrous.
Officials explained, “The precursor chemicals are transported from India to Myanmar through the porous international border, processed, and the final products are then brought back into India, mainly via Mizoram.”
The agency also uncovered bank deposits totaling Rs 52.8 crore linked to narco-hawala operators across Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, West Bengal, Tripura, and Delhi. Some hawala operators were questioned on-site during the raids, as investigations continue into the cross-border narcotics and money-laundering network.
