ED searches 16 places linked to smuggling of foreign-origin betel nut via the Indo-Myanmar border
Dried areca nut consignments were brought overland to the Indo-Myanmar border opposite Champhai in Mizoram, and ferried across the Tiau river at Zokhawthar in small lots, bypassing the Land Customs Station, in a well-organised racket, the ED alleges
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted searches at 16 locations across Assam and West Bengal in connection with the smuggling of foreign-origin areca nut (betel nut) into India via the Indo-Myanmar border. The searches targeted businesses associated with DNG Biotech Private Limited, Jai Karni Tradings Private Limited, Purvottar Agro Private Limited, N.R.
Associates, and other related individuals. Authorities seized approximately ₹95 lakh in unaccounted cash and froze ₹85 lakh in fixed deposits. The investigation is based on 11 First Information Reports filed by police in Assam and West Bengal, alleging the smuggling, transportation, and sale of betel nut originating from Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar.
The consignments allegedly entered Mizoram through Myanmar, were transported to West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra using falsified invoices and documents, and were eventually sold to gutka and pan masala manufacturers at a lower price than duty-paid products.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
