Ahmedabad: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Aizawl Sub-Zonal Office, conducted search operations on Thursday at multiple locations across Aizawl and Champhai in Mizoram, Sribhumi (Karimganj) in Assam, and Ahmedabad in Gujarat under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The ED action follows an FIR registered by Mizoram Police under Sections 21(C), 25 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, after 4.724 kg of heroin valued at ₹1,41,66,000 was seized from six individuals, with a total of nine persons arrested. Financial analysis of the arrested individuals and intelligence inputs revealed financial linkages between Mizoram-based firms and Gujarat-based firms.

According to the ED, Gujarat-based Krishiv Enterprises supplied Pseudoephedrine tablets (Schedule A, B, C substances under the NDPS-RCS Order 2013) and Caffeine Anhydrous (a pre-precursor used in the manufacture of methamphetamine tablets) worth ₹4.54 crore in 2024–25 to firms in Mizoram. These firms were linked to Henry Lalbiakzinga, Laltluangzela and Benjamin Lalawmpuai, who allegedly carried out smuggling and hawala transactions through habitual offenders Abu Saleh Saif Uddin of Assam, and Zodinthara and Lalrampari of Champhai, Mizoram. Financial links were also traced to Kolkata-based shell entities, including Mahasin Tradecom, managed by Mohd Zafar, who is associated with Abu Saleh Saif Uddin.

The precursors used in methamphetamine production are transported from India to Myanmar through porous international borders, where they are processed into the final product. The methamphetamine tablets are then trafficked back into India, primarily through Mizoram. The ED noted credits of ₹11 crore in the bank accounts of Abu Saleh Saif Uddin, including cash deposits in West Bengal, and credits of ₹52.8 crore in the accounts of narco-hawala operator Lalrampari, including cash deposits across Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, West Bengal, Tripura and Delhi.

During the PMLA investigation and search proceedings, the ED seized cash amounting to ₹46.7 lakh, along with substantial incriminating evidence, including several digital devices and books of accounts of entities controlled by the accused persons.

The investigation further revealed that Myanmar nationals misused GST credentials belonging to Indian nationals to procure raw materials essential for the manufacture of methamphetamine tablets. Evidence also indicates that Indians procured Pseudoephedrine tablets and Caffeine Anhydrous on behalf of Myanmar nationals, facilitating a cross-border drug production and trafficking network and laundering money in the process. This network supports the narcotics supply chain across Indo-Myanmar border regions, with financial and smuggling links spanning multiple Indian states.

Additionally, 21 bank accounts suspected to have been used to park proceeds of crime have been frozen under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA, 2002. Further investigation is underway. DeshGujarat