ED Conducts Major Raids in Mizoram’s Champhai Over Cross-Border Burmese Supari Smuggling Network

June 4, 2026 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday launched extensive search operations at nine locations in Champhai, a border town along the India-Myanmar frontier in Mizoram, as part of an investigation into an alleged large-scale illegal Burmese supari (dry areca nut) smuggling racket.

According to the agency, the coordinated raids are targeting key local facilitators suspected of operating a highly organised cross-border network involved in the illicit import of Myanmar-origin areca nuts into India. The searches are being carried out at residential and business premises linked to individuals believed to have played a central role in the smuggling operation.

The ED’s investigation has revealed that consignments of Burmese supari were allegedly transported into India through the Tiau River and stored in local warehouses before being moved further into domestic markets. The accused are suspected of using forged documents and fraudulent e-way bills to disguise the imported goods as legitimate local purchases, thereby evading regulatory scrutiny.

Officials said the illegal trade generated and layered hundreds of crores of rupees through a complex financial network. The investigation further found that certain accused persons allegedly exploited their local tribal status to act as front claimants before Customs authorities. They are accused of relying on unrelated historical import documents to secure the release of seized consignments and legitimise the movement of contraband goods.

The ongoing searches form part of the ED’s broader effort to dismantle financial networks linked to cross-border smuggling and identify the proceeds of crime generated through the illegal trade. Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.