 conducted raids at nine locations in the Champai region along the Mizoram-Myanmar border as part){kind=link}
The Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at multiple locations in Mizoram’s border region as part of an investigation
June 4, 2026: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at nine locations in the Champai region along the Mizoram-Myanmar border as part of an investigation into the illegal smuggling of Burmese dry areca nuts into India. The searches were carried out with assistance from the Mizoram Police and targeted individuals suspected of facilitating a well-organised cross-border smuggling operation.
According to officials, the accused allegedly transported Myanmar-origin areca nut consignments through the Tiu River, stored them in local warehouses, and used forged documents and fraudulent e-way bills to disguise the goods as legitimate local purchases. Investigators believe the network generated and layered hundreds of crores of rupees through illegal trade activities, causing significant economic losses.
The probe also revealed that some suspects allegedly used their tribal status to make claims before Customs authorities and secure the release of seized consignments using unrelated historical import records. Areca nut smuggling remains a major concern due to high domestic demand, with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence reporting seizures of over 4,600 metric tonnes of smuggled areca nuts worth ₹234 crore during 2024-25.
Enforcement Directorate, ED Raid, Mizoram, Champai, Myanmar Border, Areca Nut Smuggling, Dry Areca Nut, Cross Border Crime, Tiu River, Mizoram Police, Economic Offences, Smuggling Network, Customs Fraud, Forged Documents,