The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted searches at around 30 locations across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana as part of multiple money laundering investigations linked to drug trafficking networks.
The searches are being carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to officials, the investigations stem from eight cases registered by local police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in the four states since 2022.
The ED said the action is part of the Centre's efforts under the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign to tackle the drug menace by targeting not only traffickers but also the financial networks supporting illegal activities.
In Tamil Nadu, one of the cases relates to the seizure of 1.47 kg of methamphetamine from Sri Lankan nationals N Ajanthan and K Madhusudan at a refugee camp in Ramanathapuram on June 11, 2024. The ED's probe has allegedly uncovered a network involving the procurement and financing of methamphetamine, transportation and its intended delivery to Sri Lanka. Investigators are also examining alleged hawala channels used for financial settlements.
In another Tamil Nadu case, the NCB arrested Bysul Rahman in Chennai on July 24, 2024, allegedly with 5.970 kg of methamphetamine. The drug was suspected to be intended for transportation to Sri Lanka. Syed Ibrahim, who allegedly travelled to Chennai in connection with the network, has also come under investigation.
The agency is also probing a December 2023 case involving Sri Lankan national S Udaya Kumar, who was allegedly caught in Chennai with two kilograms of methamphetamine.
In Karnataka, the ED investigation is linked to the July 2022 seizure of one kilogram of hashish oil from a person identified as Mruthyunjaya alias Jayanna.
In Telangana, the agency's action is connected to three FIRs involving Kalapathi Nithu Bai and her associates. Officials allege that the group operated an organised ganja syndicate for several years. Investigators said the network allegedly procured cannabis from areas including Odisha, Araku and Dhoolpet in Hyderabad, stored it at residences, repackaged it and sold it across Nanakramguda and nearby areas.
The ED said it has traced immovable properties allegedly acquired during the period of the syndicate's operation.
In Kerala, searches are linked to two separate cases involving Ayush Vinod and another accused, Ligiesh, who was allegedly intercepted after arriving from Muscat with 949.26 grams of MDMA.
The ED said it is increasingly focusing on the financial backbone of drug networks, including suspected use of real estate, trade-based laundering and crypto assets to conceal trafficking proceeds.
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