The ED froze 1,424 bank accounts linked to a suspected drug hawala network operating along the India-Myanmar border, after raids in Mizoram and Manipur that led to six arrests. Enforcement Directorate action followed searches launched on October 23 across Aizawl, Champhai and Lawngtlai in Mizoram, and Churachandpur in Manipur. The ED provisionally attached assets worth Rs 26.01 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The ED said the network allegedly laundered proceeds from heroin, brown sugar and methamphetamine tablets trafficked from Myanmar. It described the India-Myanmar border as porous and pointed to the Champhai-Zokhawthar sector in Mizoram as a key route. According to the ED, precursor chemicals and substances were sent from India toward Myanmar, while finished narcotics moved back into India through Mizoram. The ED also alleged that consignments crossed the Tiau river near Zokhawthar before moving to Champhai, then along the Champhai-Aizawl road and National Highway 6A towards Aizawl and Vairengte, with onward routes reaching parts of Assam and Tripura. Money, the ED said, was then routed back to border towns in Mizoram for settlement with suppliers in Myanmar. During the investigations, it also claimed holders of mule bank accounts admitted renting out their accounts to suspected operators for Rs 500 per lakh. Searches covered suspected hawala operators, mule account holders, front businesses, a mini-ATM counter and bank branches holding key accounts. The ED arrested six accused persons, three from Mizoram and three from Manipur, during the operation.