Guwahati: An Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into the alleged illegal trade of Burmese areca nuts has expanded to multiple locations in Assam’s Barak Valley, with officials carrying out search operations on Wednesday.
Sources said teams from the central agency searched six premises during the operation, including five in Cachar district and one in neighbouring Hailakandi. The raids began early in the morning.
The operation is reported to have stemmed from an earlier search at the Itkhola residence of Abu Majumdar in Silchar, where investigators had allegedly recovered a diary.
Sources claimed the diary contained names and other information believed to be connected to the suspected areca nut trade. The fresh searches were reportedly launched after investigators examined those details and widened the scope of the inquiry.
Among those whose premises were searched were Deepankar Dey of Hospital Road in Silchar and areca nut trader Zakir Talukdar from the Leather Warehouse area. Officials also conducted searches at another location in Hailakandi district, according to sources.
The searches were carried out at the residences and business establishments of individuals suspected of having links to the alleged trade in Burmese supari.
No details have been made public about the results of the searches, including whether the operation led to recoveries or action against any individual.