The Directorate of Enforcement’s (ED) Panaji Zonal Office conducted search operations at 26 premises in states like Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, and Delhi. This action is part of an international narcotics trafficking and money laundering case. The searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following the registration of an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) based on an FIR by the Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Goa Police.
The ED revealed that the search operations exposed an organized inter-state drug trafficking syndicate. Investigations have uncovered the distribution of narcotic substances on a business-to-business (B2B) basis across various states including Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Kerala. Significant amounts of cash, narcotic substances like charas, contraband, incriminating documents, and digital devices were seized during the searches.
Analysis of the seized digital devices and documents provided evidence of a large-scale supply of narcotics such as MDMA, Ecstasy, Hash, Kush, Shrooms, Rashol Cream, Cocaine, and Super Cream across multiple states in India. The investigation also highlighted the systematic use of courier and postal channels for transporting narcotics, as well as the routing of proceeds of crime through various financial means including UPI, bank transfers, cryptocurrency, and cash transactions.
The ED noted instances of layering and concealment of illicit proceeds through intricate financial channels. The probe established connections with suppliers and the active involvement of multiple associates and facilitators in the narcotics supply chain and money laundering activities. The agency is collaborating with other law enforcement bodies by sharing relevant information for further legal action. The ED reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling organized drug trafficking networks and disrupting the financial channels used for laundering illegal proceeds.
