Archive · 2 Oct 2026
ED Searches 16 Locations in Assam, West Bengal Smuggling Probe
The Enforcement Directorate searched 16 places in Assam and West Bengal.
It is investigating an alleged money-laundering network.
The network is accused of bringing areca nuts from other countries into India.
Officials say the nuts came through the Myanmar border and Mizoram.
Some firms were allegedly registered using other people as front owners.
The nuts were reportedly sent to gutka and pan masala makers in several Indian states.
Investigators are also examining alleged monthly payments made by truckers for tokens allowing easier passage.
The searches are intended to trace the money and people connected to the alleged operation.
The Enforcement Directorate searched 16 locations in Assam and West Bengal on Thursday.
The searches concern an alleged money-laundering network smuggling foreign-origin areca nut through the Indo-Myanmar border.
Officials searched premises linked to transporters, businessmen and logistics firms in Guwahati and Siliguri.
The alleged network reportedly imported Indonesian and Thai areca nut through Mizoram using front proprietors.
The ED is examining alleged payments to secure truck passage and the routing of hundreds of crores through associated entities.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate, and people and firms allegedly linked to an areca-nut smuggling syndicate.
- What
- Searches at 16 locations as part of a money-laundering investigation into alleged foreign-origin areca-nut smuggling.
- When
- Thursday; the articles do not provide an exact date.
- Where
- Locations in Assam and West Bengal, involving an alleged route through Mizoram and the Indo-Myanmar border.
- Why
- To investigate the alleged smuggling network, trace its money flows and examine related financial transactions.
- Agency
- Enforcement Directorate, through its Guwahati Zonal Office and West Bengal operations
- Searches
- 16 locations
- States searched
- Assam and West Bengal
- Alleged source of areca nut
- Indonesia and Thailand, entering through Mizoram
- Alleged recipients
- Gutka and pan masala manufacturers in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra
- Financial allegation
- Hundreds of crores of rupees were allegedly routed through associated entities
- Additional probe
- Alleged monthly payments to truckers in exchange for passage tokens