SHIMLA/AIZAWL: An organised cross-border smuggling network allegedly dealing in Myanmar-origin dry areca nuts has caused an estimated ₹408.90 crore loss to the government in basic customs duty, exposing the scale of revenue leakage through illegal trade routes along the Mizoram-Myanmar border.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Aizawl Sub-Zonal Office, has provisionally attached 10 immovable properties worth ₹8.12 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the alleged smuggling network.
The case stems from an investigation initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the ACB, CBI, Imphal, followed by CBI chargesheet No. 07/2025 dated August 29, 2025.
According to the investigation, around 3,103 metric tonnes of dry areca nuts, with an assessable value of approximately ₹1,022.25 crore, were allegedly smuggled into India from Myanmar through Mizoram.
The alleged smuggling was facilitated through fraudulent e-way bills, forged documents and other means, allowing consignments to bypass legitimate customs procedures and depriving the exchequer of substantial revenue.
The investigation has traced the alleged network to border areas around Zokhawthar and Champhai, where Myanmar/Burmese suppliers allegedly moved areca nuts across the Tiau River and other routes. Local facilitators are accused of arranging storage, transportation and onward movement of the consignments towards Assam and other destinations.
The ED said local persons were also allegedly used as claimants or owners of consignments intercepted by Customs authorities. Substantial funds were allegedly routed through bank accounts and money exchangers to settle payments with suppliers based in Myanmar.
The financial trail has become a key part of the money-laundering investigation. Earlier searches resulted in the freezing of bank accounts containing approximately ₹1.20 crore, while scrutiny of financial transactions and seized material allegedly revealed cash deposits, withdrawals and purchases of immovable properties from proceeds generated through the smuggling activities.
The ED investigation has named Zosangpuii, Thangkhammunga, Zonsanga and Sangneihvela in connection with the alleged procurement, transportation, storage and trading of Myanmar-origin areca nuts and generation of monetary benefits from the illegal trade.
Among the properties attached is Hotel Jade at Bethel Veng, Champhai, along with its underlying land, valued at approximately ₹6.29 crore. The ED alleged that the hotel was constructed from money generated through illegal smuggling and trading of Myanmar-origin areca nuts.
The latest provisional attachment covers 10 immovable properties with an aggregate value of ₹8,12,74,399, comprising Hotel Jade, residential land and other landed properties in and around Champhai.
With the latest attachment of properties worth ₹8.12 crore and the freezing of bank balances of around ₹1.20 crore, the ED said the total proceeds of crime secured in the case have reached approximately ₹9.33 crore.
The figures underline a wider concern beyond the criminal proceeds recovered by enforcement agencies: the alleged smuggling of goods worth more than ₹1,000 crore has resulted in a customs-duty revenue loss of nearly ₹409 crore, according to the investigation.
The ED said further investigation is underway.
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