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Crime
18 Arrested, Over 1,400 Bank Accounts Frozen in Northeast Narco‑Hawala Crackdown
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 26 Oct 2026, 04:36 AM
👁 12
Police in India's Northeast detained 18 suspects and ordered the freezing of 1,424 bank accounts as part of a large‑scale narco‑hawala operation, officials said.
Law enforcement agencies in the Northeastern region launched a coordinated operation targeting a suspected narco‑hawala network that was allegedly facilitating the movement of drug‑related funds across state lines. The crackdown, described by officials as one of the biggest of its kind in the area, involved raids on multiple locations linked to the syndicate.
During the sweeps, 18 individuals were taken into custody on charges of money‑laundering and drug‑trafficking facilitation. In parallel, authorities secured court orders to freeze a total of 1,424 bank accounts believed to be used for channeling illicit proceeds.
The operation was carried out by a joint task force comprising the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Enforcement Directorate and state police units. Officials indicated that the frozen accounts span several banks and encompass both personal and corporate holdings, underscoring the extensive financial footprint of the alleged network.
While investigations are ongoing, the arrests and account freezes are expected to disrupt the financial channels that support narcotics trade in the region and send a deterrent signal to similar operations nationwide.
During the sweeps, 18 individuals were taken into custody on charges of money‑laundering and drug‑trafficking facilitation. In parallel, authorities secured court orders to freeze a total of 1,424 bank accounts believed to be used for channeling illicit proceeds.
The operation was carried out by a joint task force comprising the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Enforcement Directorate and state police units. Officials indicated that the frozen accounts span several banks and encompass both personal and corporate holdings, underscoring the extensive financial footprint of the alleged network.
While investigations are ongoing, the arrests and account freezes are expected to disrupt the financial channels that support narcotics trade in the region and send a deterrent signal to similar operations nationwide.