ED Raids Nine Locations in Mizoram Over Myanmar Areca Nut Smuggling Probe

A money laundering investigation into an alleged cross-border Areca nut smuggling racket gathered pace on Thursday as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations along the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram, officials said.

The searches were carried out at around nine premises in the border town of Champhai, targeting individuals suspected of facilitating the illegal trade. According to officials, the operation is aimed at dismantling a highly organised network involved in the large-scale smuggling of Myanmar-origin dry Areca nuts (supari) into India.

Investigators allege that the accused illegally transported Areca nuts across the Tiau River , a natural boundary between India and Myanmar, before storing the consignments in local warehouses. The network is also accused of using fraudulent e-way bills and forged documents to falsely portray the smuggled goods as legitimate local purchases.

The ED said the illicit trade generated hundreds of crores of rupees , with the proceeds allegedly being routed through various channels to conceal their origin and ownership.

Officials further alleged that some members of the network exploited their local tribal status to file claims before Customs authorities and secure the release of seized consignments. They are accused of relying on unrelated historical import documents to present the contraband as legally imported goods.

The searches form part of the agency's broader efforts to trace the proceeds of crime and identify the individuals and entities involved in the alleged smuggling and money laundering operations.

Further investigation is underway.