ED raids 3 states in ₹142 crore drug-trafficking money laundering probe
Synopsis
The ED has uncovered a sprawling Myanmar-to-Tripura drug pipeline with over ₹142 crore in suspect proceeds — and the discovery of 25 surveillance cameras mounted on trees along the Bangladesh border fence at suspects' homes signals the operation's audacity. The probe connects cross-border narcotics flows, hawala networks, and shell entities across three Indian states.
Key Takeaways
The Enforcement Directorate raided four locations across West Bengal , Tripura , and Mizoram on 8 June 2025 under the PMLA, 2002 .
The probe is linked to the seizure of 49.101 kg of methamphetamine tablets and 40 grams of heroin on NH-06A, Mizoram on 21 August 2025 ; eight persons were arrested by the NCB.
Suspect proceeds of crime exceed ₹142 crore , layered through bank accounts, shell entities, and hawala channels.
Hmingthansangi of Zokhawthar had suspect bank credits of over ₹33 crore ; her location was less than 500 metres from the unfenced Myanmar border.
More than 25 CCTV cameras mounted on trees near the Indo-Bangladesh border fence were found at suspects' residences.
Key accused Chintuang alias Tluanga (Myanmar supplier) and Jabrul Haque (transport facilitator) have already been arrested by the NCB.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches across West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram on 8 June 2025 as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to a major cross-border drug-trafficking syndicate, with suspect proceeds of crime identified at over ₹142 crore. The searches, carried out by the ED's Aizawl Sub-Zonal Office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, covered four locations and targeted individuals and entities suspected of routing narcotics money through bank accounts, cash, and hawala channels.
Origin of the Investigation
The probe stems from a predicate offence registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Agartala Zonal Unit, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The NCB case centres on the interception of a vehicle convoy on National Highway-6A (NH-06A) in Mizoram on 21 August 2025, which resulted in the seizure of 49.101 kg of methamphetamine tablets and 40 grams of heroin, and the arrest of eight persons. Offences under Sections 21, 22, and 29 of the NDPS Act are scheduled offences under the PMLA, making them actionable by the ED.
The Cross-Border Syndicate
ED's investigation has revealed an organised interstate and cross-border network that sourced methamphetamine from Myanmar-based suppliers, smuggled the contraband into India through the Zokhawthar sector of Mizoram's Champhai district, and routed it to receivers based in Tripura. The main Myanmar-based supplier, Chintuang alias Tluanga, and the chief transportation facilitator, Jabrul Haque, have already been arrested by the NCB.
The proceeds of crime were reportedly layered through a web of bank accounts held by Myanmar-resident individuals using border addresses and shell entities, as well as cash and hawala channels, to obscure the origin and ultimate beneficiaries of the funds.
Key Persons Targeted in the Raids
The searches covered the residential and official premises of four key individuals and entities. Anowar Hossain alias Suman Mia alias Crorepati Suman and Jashim Mia, both residents of Sonamura in Tripura's Sepahijala district, have been identified as the ultimate receivers of the seized drug consignment. Their residences were found to be situated directly on the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Hmingthansangi, a resident of Zokhawthar in Mizoram — located less than 500 metres from the unfenced Myanmar border — had a bank account showing suspect credits of over ₹33 crore. Chaitali Das, Proprietor of M/s Riju Enterprises in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, is suspected of having been used to route the proceeds of crime.
What Was Found During the Searches
Among the notable finds, ED officials discovered more than 25 CCTV cameras mounted on trees, covering forest areas surrounding the houses of Suman Mia and Jashim Mia, along the barbed-wire fencing of the international border with Bangladesh. A dog squad was deployed to detect contraband during the operations.
Support from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) was enlisted for the searches. Incriminating documents, digital devices, and other material evidence were seized, according to the ED. Further investigation is underway.
Point of View
Porous border geography enables smuggling, and a constellation of border-resident accounts, shell firms, and hawala operators launders the proceeds across state lines. The discovery of 25 tree-mounted CCTV cameras along the Bangladesh border fence at suspects' homes is a stark indicator of how professionalised these networks have become. The ED's identification of ₹142 crore in suspect credits is significant, but the deeper question is how many similar pipelines remain undetected along India's 1,643-km Myanmar border, where fencing is incomplete and surveillance remains thin.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the ED conduct raids in West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram?
The ED raided four locations across the three states on 8 June 2025 as part of a money laundering investigation linked to a cross-border drug-trafficking syndicate. The probe stems from an NCB case involving the seizure of 49.101 kg of methamphetamine and 40 grams of heroin on NH-06A in Mizoram in August 2025.
How much money is alleged to have been laundered in this case?
The ED has identified suspect credits aggregating to over ₹142 crore so far. The proceeds were reportedly layered through bank accounts held by Myanmar-resident individuals, shell entities, and hawala channels to conceal their origin.
Who are the key accused in the drug syndicate?
The main Myanmar-based supplier, Chintuang alias Tluanga, and the chief transportation facilitator, Jabrul Haque, have already been arrested by the NCB. The ED's searches targeted Anowar Hossain alias Suman Mia, Jashim Mia, Hmingthansangi, and Chaitali Das of M/s Riju Enterprises.
What was the significance of the CCTV cameras found during the raids?
More than 25 CCTV cameras were found mounted on trees covering forest areas around the homes of suspects Suman Mia and Jashim Mia, along the barbed-wire fencing of the international border with Bangladesh. The find points to a sophisticated surveillance setup used to monitor border movement in support of the smuggling operation.
Which law enforcement agencies assisted the ED in the searches?
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) provided support during the search operations. A dog squad was also deployed to detect contraband at the premises.
