Guwahati, Aug. 5 -- An Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into the alleged illegal trade of Burmese areca nuts has expanded to multiple locations in Assam's Barak Valley, with officials carrying out search operations on Wednesday.

Sources said teams from the central agency searched six premises during the operation, including five in Cachar district and one in neighbouring Hailakandi. The raids began early in the morning.

The operation is reported to have stemmed from an earlier search at the Itkhola residence of Abu Majumdar in Silchar, where investigators had allegedly recovered a diary.

Sources claimed the diary contained names and other information believed to be connected to the suspected areca nut trade. The fresh searche...