The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a series of extensive search operations across Cachar district and Sribhumi in Assam, targeting key figures allegedly involved in the illicit Burmese supari (betel nut) trade. These raids come days after the high-profile arrest of Abub Mazumder, identified as the alleged kingpin of the syndicate, from his palatial residence in Silchar.
On Wednesday, ED teams fanned out across several locations, conducting simultaneous searches. In Silchar, officials reportedly searched the Hospital Road residence of prominent trader Dipankar Deb, followed by an operation at the house of Jakir Hussain Talukdar in the Chamra Gudam area. Concurrently, another team raided the rented accommodation of Kabir Ahmed Chowdhury in Sribhumi town.
Beyond these primary targets, the investigative agency also extended its operations to several other areas within Cachar district, including Kalain, Katigorah, Dholai, and Bhaga, indicating a widespread sweep against the network. Sources close to the investigation suggest these operations were initiated based on information gleaned from Mazumder's interrogation, which reportedly provided crucial leads into the syndicate's operations and its key players.
While the central agency has yet to issue an official statement regarding the specifics of the raids or any seizures made, local reports have widely confirmed the widespread nature of these search activities. The crackdown underscores the ongoing efforts by central agencies to dismantle organized crime networks involved in the smuggling of Burmese supari, a significant concern in the Northeast region.
Continue Reading
