Aizawl: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out coordinated searches and arrests in Mizoram and Manipur on October 23, detaining six people and freezing 1,424 bank accounts as part of an investigation into a cross‑border narco‑hawala network, officials said.
Operations across districts
ED teams from the Aizawl and Imphal sub‑zonal offices executed searches in Aizawl, Champhai, Lawngtlai in Mizoram and Churachandpur in Manipur under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Mizoram Police conducted parallel actions, the agency reported.
The agency said the raids focused on a syndicate alleged to have laundered proceeds from seizures of heroin, brown sugar and methamphetamine trafficked from Myanmar. Assets attached so far include a five‑storey hotel in Champhai, identified as Hotel JTS at Zion Veng, standing in the name of Lalliansanga, husband of hawala operator Lalrampari.
Arrests and ongoing hunt
Those formally taken into ED custody are named as Kashyap G Thakkar, Thangkhuala and T Chatuan Vanlalgakha from Mizoram, and Zenngaihniang (alias Taniang), Nengzatuan Valte (alias Tuanpi) and H Gouzalal from Manipur. The ED said Taniang and Tuanpi were already in judicial custody in narcotics cases and were arrested after obtaining permission from a special judge.
Investigators said they are seeking to arrest four additional accused linked to the same network.
How the network allegedly operated
ED filings indicate the syndicate moved drug money through a cluster of accounts in Champhai, Aizawl and Lawngtlai, which absorbed receipts from Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura and then settled funds with suppliers in Myanmar. The investigation traces three narcotics seizures — on March 14, 2025; August 21, 2025; and July 2, 2026 — that led to identification of the single network.
One company, Krishiv Enterprises of Mizoram, is recorded as having transferred large consignments of industrial chemicals — about 32 tonnes of caffeine anhydrous and 10 tonnes of aluminium chloride anhydrous — across the border. ED documents suggest caffeine anhydrous was being used to cut methamphetamine destined for production of yaba tablets.
The probe also highlights use of a mini‑ATM counter in Churachandpur operated by H Gouzalal. The counter reportedly carried out 2,947 transfers totalling ₹175.03 crore between 2024 and June 2026, according to case records made available to investigators.
Modus to launder and move funds
ED investigators said account holders in Mizoram rented out their bank accounts — at rates of about ₹500 per lakh — and passed funds through the banking system within days. In one striking instance, a Champhai homemaker's account reportedly received ₹15.48 crore despite a declared monthly family income of roughly ₹27,000.
So far, the agency says assets secured in the matter exceed ₹26 crore, including an earlier seizure of about ₹8.19 crore. The ED had earlier secured ₹8.19 lakh (sic) and combined with recent attachments the total crosses the figure stated.
| Item | Reported value / quantity |
|---|---|
| Bank accounts frozen | 1,424 |
| Hotel attached (Hotel JTS, Champhai) | ₹17.82 crore |
| Transfers via Churachandpur counter | 2,947 transfers; ₹175.03 crore |
| Chemical consignments | 32t caffeine anhydrous; 10t aluminium chloride anhydrous |
| Accounts receiving large inflows | One account: ₹15.48 crore |
Local impact and next steps
Authorities say the action disrupts financial channels that allegedly underpinned narcotics shipments across the India‑Myanmar frontier. The ED has invoked PMLA provisions to attach and secure assets while criminal and narcotics investigations continue.
- ED to pursue four more accused linked to the network.
- Parallel investigations by NCB and state police to examine drug supply chains and cross‑border links.
- Further asset tracing and bank reconciliations expected as forensic analysis continues.
Residents and local officials in Champhai and Aizawl are awaiting further updates as the probe progresses. The ED has not yet furnished a full inventory of attached properties beyond the hotel nor disclosed whether the arrested individuals have been produced before the special court at the time of reporting.
The operation underscores the agencies’ focus on disrupting the financial architecture of trafficking syndicates in the Northeast, where geography and porous borders have long been challenges for law enforcement.
