ED probes cross-border drug smuggling, money-laundering network linked to Myanmar

The Enforcement Directorate has launched an investigation into a cross-border drug-smuggling and money-laundering network, in which chemical precursors for methamphetamine were allegedly sent from India to Myanmar, processed there, and the finished drugs smuggled back, primarily through Mizoram.

The agency also detected the alleged misuse of Goods and Services Tax credentials belonging to Indians by Myanmar nationals to facilitate the purchase of raw materials.

On Thursday, the ED raided multiple locations across Aizawl and Champhai in Mizoram, Sribhumi (Karimganj) in Assam, and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, and seized ₹46.7 lakh in cash, digital devices, and account books linked to the network. It also froze 21 bank accounts suspected of holding proceeds of crime.

The ED action is based on a First Information Report registered by the Mizoram Police under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, after 4.724 kg of heroin, worth over ₹1.41 crore, was found in the possession of six persons. Subsequently, nine accused persons were arrested.

“From the financial analysis of the arrested persons and intelligence gathered, financial linkages between Mizoram and Gujarat based firms were established. Gujarat-based firms Krishiv Enterprises supplied pseudoephedrine tablets… caffeine anhydrous [pre-precursor used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine tablets] worth ₹4.54 crore in 2024-25 to firms based in Mizoram,” the agency said.

According to the ED, Mizoram entities were links to accused Henry Lalbiakzinga, Laltluangzela, and Benjamin Lalawmpuai, who carried out smuggling and ‘hawala’ transactions through “habitual offenders Abu Saleh Saif Uddin of Assam, Zodinthara and Lalrampari of Champhai, Mizoram”.

“Financial linkages of the Mizoram-based firms viz Bill Enterprises, RK Two Sisters Store, LH Pharmacy, and KC Pharmacy, have also been found with Kolkata-based shell entities, including Mahasin Tradecom, managed by Mohd. Zafar who is linked with Abu Saleh Saif Uddin,” the agency said.

“The precursors used in the production of methamphetamine are transported from India to Myanmar through the porous international borders, where they are manufactured, and the final products are transported from Myanmar to India majorly through Mizoram. Huge credits of ₹11 crore were noted in the accounts of Abu Saleh Saif Uddin, including cash deposits in West Bengal. Huge credits of ₹52.8 crore were noted in the bank accounts of narco-hawala operator Lalrampari, including cash deposits in Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, West Bengal, Tripura, and Delhi,” it said.

The agency said evidence indicates that Indians procured pseudoephedrine tablets and caffeine anhydrous on behalf of Myanmar nationals, thereby also enabling money laundering. “This scheme supports the supply chain of narcotics manufacturing, particularly affecting the Indo-Myanmar border regions like Mizoram, with financial and smuggling links spanning multiple Indian States and money laundering through these activities,” the ED added.