Big ED Operation Rocks Cachar as Burmese Betel Nut Syndicate Faces Fresh Heat

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out coordinated search operations at several locations across Cachar district on Wednesday (August 5) as part of its ongoing investigation into an alleged international Burmese betel nut syndicate.

According to sources, multiple ED teams began simultaneous searches at the residences of individuals suspected to have links with the alleged syndicate.

Among the locations searched were the residence of betel nut trader Dipankar Deb in the Hospital Road area of Silchar and the house of Zakir Hossain Talukdar in Madhurbond, Silchar. Raids were also reported from Katigorah, Kalain, Bhaga, Dholai and several other parts of the district.

Preliminary information suggests that the searches are part of the central agency’s wider investigation into the alleged cross-border Burmese betel nut network. ED teams have been conducting searches at multiple addresses of persons suspected to be associated with the syndicate since Wednesday morning.

The latest operation follows a similar round of searches conducted a few days ago in different parts of the country, including at the residence of Silchar-based businessman Abub Mazumder. After those searches, the ED alleged that Mazumder was one of the key masterminds behind the international Burmese betel nut syndicate and had amassed substantial illegal assets through its operations. As per reports, Wednesday’s searches are a continuation of that investigation.