Guwahati, April 27: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has carried out coordinated searches across seven locations in Arunachal Pradesh, exposing what investigators describe as a large-scale interstate liquor smuggling racket exploiting tax differences between states.
The searches, conducted on April 23 at nine premises in Itanagar, Naharlagun, Seppa, Ziro, Daporijo, Namsai and Roing, are part of an ongoing money laundering probe linked to illegal liquor movement into Assam.
According to the agency, the network diverted liquor meant for sale within Arunachal Pradesh to markets in Assam and other states, using a web of shell entities, dummy licence holders and concealed ownership structures.
Investigators found that wholesale operations were largely controlled by a few “kingpins,” who allegedly operated through benami licences registered in the names of local residents. Financial records showed that between 51% and 90% of deposits in some wholesale accounts were unexplained cash transactions.
In one instance, officials detected over 200 invoices of the exact same value—₹1,99,554—issued within a single month, suggesting deliberate attempts to avoid financial scrutiny by keeping transactions below reporting thresholds.
The ED also seized around ₹40 lakh in cash during the raids, along with 14 official-looking seals, including those purportedly of the Arunachal Pradesh Excise Department. These seals are suspected to have been used to fabricate transport permits and facilitate the illegal movement of liquor across state borders.
The investigation, initiated on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by Assam Police and inputs from the state excise department, has widened significantly. Authorities said the case now includes at least 173 additional FIRs, indicating the scale of the network.
Earlier searches had pointed to the involvement of three major liquor manufacturers allegedly acting as key operators in the syndicate.
Officials said further investigation is ongoing to trace financial flows and identify additional beneficiaries.
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