In a landmark operation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out its first-ever raids along the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram, targeting a major drug trafficking and money laundering network. The agency also conducted searches in Assam and Gujarat, seizing Rs 35 lakh in cash and several digital devices.

The raids covered key locations in Aizawl and Champhai in Mizoram, Sribhumi in Karimganj district of Assam, and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation is based on an FIR registered by the Mizoram Police following the seizure of 4.72 kg of heroin valued at Rs 1.41 crore from six suspects.

Officials said this is the first time the ED has operated directly along the India-Myanmar border in Champhai, a region along India’s 1,643 km eastern frontier with Myanmar. Financial investigations revealed links between Mizoram-based firms and companies in Gujarat, which allegedly supplied precursor chemicals—Pseudoephedrine and Caffeine Anhydrous—used in methamphetamine production. These chemicals were reportedly channeled to Mizoram firms connected to narcotics smuggling and hawala operations.

The probe also identified Kolkata-based shell companies that procured consignments of Caffeine Anhydrous from the Mizoram entities. Authorities noted that the precursor chemicals are smuggled into Myanmar for methamphetamine production, with the finished drugs trafficked back through Mizoram.

ED officials said bank deposits totaling Rs 52.8 crore were traced to narcotics hawala networks operating across Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, West Bengal, Tripura, and Delhi. During the raids, several hawala operatives are being questioned as the agency intensifies its crackdown on the cross-border drug money laundering syndicate.