The Directorate of Enforcement carried out searches at 38 locations across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on October 23 under Operation Trident, uncovering alleged hawala transactions worth ₹100 crore in a probe linked to cross-border narcotics trafficking.
The action led to the freezing of 1,424 bank accounts and attachment of properties worth ₹17.82 crore. The agency also seized 500 detonators and ₹12 lakh in cash and arrested 18 people.
The searches were conducted at multiple premises in Aizawl, Champhai and Lawngtlai in Mizoram and Churachandpur in Manipur in connection with three money-laundering cases involving alleged trafficking of heroin, brown sugar and methamphetamine tablets from Myanmar.
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Three Cases Form Basis of Money-Laundering Probe
The ED initiated investigations on the basis of FIRs registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
One Enforcement Case Information Report in Mizoram arose from the seizure of 4.722 kg of heroin packed in 440 soap cases by Zokhawthar Police in Champhai on March 14, 2025. The consignment was allegedly being transported from Zokhawthar to Aizawl for a Myanmar-based supplier.
A second ECIR, filed in January 2026, relates to the seizure of 49.101 kg of methamphetamine tablets and 40 grams of heroin by the Narcotics Control Bureau near Seling in Mizoram on August 21, 2025. The drugs had allegedly been sourced from Chintuang in Myanmar for delivery at the Damchhera-Kanhmun border.
The third case relates to Zenngaihniang, also known as Taniang, and stems from the seizure of 2.413 kg of brown sugar and ₹31.43 lakh in cash by Churachandpur Police on July 2, 2026.
Probe Points to Interconnected Narco-Hawala Network
The investigation into the three cases has allegedly revealed an interconnected network in which the same set of bank accounts in Champhai, Aizawl and Lawngtlai received drug proceeds generated in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura.
According to the investigation, the funds were then used to settle payments with suppliers based in Myanmar.
Officials said heroin and methamphetamine tablets entering Mizoram and Manipur were consumed locally and also transported through Assam to other parts of India and Bangladesh.
The drug proceeds generated along the route allegedly flowed back to border towns in Mizoram for settlement with Myanmar-based suppliers.
Operation Conducted With NCB and Mizoram Police
Operation Trident was carried out in coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau and Mizoram Police, which conducted parallel action against the alleged trafficking network on the same day.
The trafficking corridor was described as operating through the Champhai-Zokhawthar sector of Mizoram, with narcotics moving into India and precursor and cutting chemicals allegedly moving in the opposite direction towards Myanmar.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, praised the agencies involved and said the coordinated action had targeted an international drug network operating across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The investigation into the alleged narco-hawala network remains ongoing.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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