Aizawl, October 7 (Daily Kiran) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken significant action against organized smuggling operations involving betel nuts from Myanmar. On October 7, the agency’s Aizawl sub-zonal office temporarily seized ten properties valued at ₹8.12 crore under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002.
The investigation was initiated based on an FIR lodged by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which led to a charge sheet filed on August 29, 2025. According to the CBI’s findings, there was large-scale smuggling of betel nuts into India via Mizoram, utilizing fake e-way bills and forged documents. The inquiry revealed that approximately 3,103 metric tons of betel nuts were smuggled, with an estimated value of ₹1,022.25 crore, resulting in a loss of around ₹408.90 crore in basic customs duties.
The investigation uncovered an organized network where suppliers from Myanmar transported betel nuts across the Tiau River and the border areas near Jochawthar and Champhai into India. Local accomplices in Mizoram facilitated the purchase, storage, and transportation of the smuggled goods, which were then distributed to Assam and other regions.
Moreover, the investigation indicated that local individuals were used as claimants for seized goods in front of customs officials. Payments to suppliers in Myanmar were channeled through bank accounts and money exchanges, involving substantial transactions.
Earlier, during search operations, various bank accounts belonging to the accused and other beneficiaries were frozen under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA, revealing a balance of approximately ₹1.20 crore. The scrutiny of these accounts and materials seized during the investigation pointed to extensive financial transactions linked to the proceeds of smuggling, including cash deposits, withdrawals, and acquisitions of real estate.
The investigation identified several properties directly or indirectly purchased with the proceeds from these illegal activities. Among the seized assets is ‘Hotel Z’ located in Bethel Veng, Champhai, valued at around ₹6.29 crore. It was found that the hotel was constructed using funds generated from the smuggling of betel nuts.
As a result, under a provisional attachment order dated September 4, 2026, the ED has temporarily attached ten properties worth ₹8,12,74,399 in and around Champhai, Mizoram. These assets have been identified as proceeds of crime and attached under Section 5(1) of the PMLA, 2002.
With the temporary attachment of properties valued at ₹8.12 crore and the freezing of approximately ₹1.20 crore in bank balances, the total value of the proceeds of crime in this case has reached around ₹9.33 crore. The ED continues its investigation into this matter.
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