States » EastPosted at: Oct 2 2026 7:22PM


ED raids six locations in Bengal, seizes 1.3 crore cash in alleged betel nut smuggling, GST evasion case

Kolkata, Oct 2 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations in West Bengal, including Cooch Behar and Siliguri, as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering linked to illegal betel nut trading, smuggling and GST evasion on Thursday.
The agency reportedly seized around Rs 1.3 crore in cash along with documents, mobile phones and laptops during simultaneous searches at six locations.
The operation also covered locations in Assam, Mizoram and Uttar Pradesh.
The investigation was initiated by the ED's Guwahati office after a complaint was lodged at a police station in Assam.
Based on the complaint, the agency registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and began probing the alleged financial transactions connected with the betel nut trade.
According to ED sources, the agency suspects that a network of traders had been conducting betel nut business while allegedly evading GST.
The investigation is also looking into allegations that betel nuts were being smuggled across the India-Myanmar border and that the proceeds were subsequently channelled through various financial transactions.
In Cooch Behar, ED officials searched the residence of a businessman at Bakshirhat and also conducted a search at his flat in Ward No. 4 of Cooch Behar.
The agency is also examining the businessman’s alleged links with a betel nut trader based in Siliguri.
Searches were conducted at locations associated with the trader as part of the investigation.
In Siliguri, ED teams carried out simultaneous searches at several locations from Thursday morning.
The ED is now scrutinising the financial records and documents seized during the searches to establish the alleged flow of funds, the links between the traders and any possible money-laundering channels.
The agency is also examining whether the suspected GST evasion and cross-border smuggling were connected to the movement of illicit funds. UNI BGA/SAG NST
Tags: #ED raids six locations in Bengal# seizes 1.3 crore cash in alleged betel nut smuggling# GST evasion case
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