ED Raids: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday carried out search operations at 26 locations across seven states in connection with an international drug trafficking and money laundering case. The raids were conducted in Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, and Delhi.
The search operation was led by the ED’s Panaji Zonal Office and began early Friday morning. The action is linked to Madhupan Suresh Shashikala and is related to illegal international drug trafficking and laundering of crime proceeds.
In an official statement, the ED said the searches were conducted under an ECIR registered on the basis of an FIR filed by the Goa Police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell. The FIR was registered under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and involves trafficking of commercial quantities of drugs.
The agency said the searches have revealed the existence of a well-organized interstate drug trafficking network. Investigators found evidence of large-scale distribution of narcotic substances on a commercial basis across several states, including Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Kerala.
During the raids, the ED seized narcotic substances such as charas and other banned drugs. A large amount of cash was also recovered along with incriminating documents and digital devices. According to the agency, analysis of the seized digital data and documents has pointed to the large-scale supply of drugs within India and across multiple states. These include MDMA, ecstasy, hashish, kush, mushrooms, rasol cream, cocaine, super cream, and other substances.
The ED further stated that the investigation has uncovered active involvement of multiple individuals in the drug supply chain, including links with suppliers, associates, and facilitators. The probe has also revealed laundering of illegal income generated from drug trafficking.
Relevant information gathered during the investigation is being shared with other law enforcement agencies so that further action can be taken as per the law. The ED said it remains committed to dismantling organized drug trafficking networks and shutting down financial channels used to convert illegal earnings into legitimate money.
