Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has arrested a Zimbabwe national, Tariro Mangwana, in connection with a multi-state and international narcotics trafficking and money laundering syndicate.
The arrest follows extensive search operations carried out on August 19 across Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Goa, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh in the case involving Nibu Vincent and others. The probe stems from an FIR filed by the Goa Police Crime Branch after the seizure of 4.3 kilograms of cocaine.
During the searches, ED seized digital devices, electronic storage media, incriminating documents, and froze several bank accounts suspected of being used in laundering drug proceeds. Investigators said the evidence reveals financial trails of drug money, use of layering techniques, shell entities, and benami accounts to conceal illicit funds.
ED further stated that the cartel had international linkages, with foreign nationals arranging travel and logistics for Indian nationals to traffic narcotics abroad. At least eight Indians were identified as drug mules, four of whom have already been arrested in India and abroad.
Mangwana is alleged to have laundered funds on behalf of Indian nationals, received remuneration for acting as a mule, and arranged logistics for drug trafficking operations. He was arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and has been remanded to three days’ ED custody by the Special Court (PMLA), Goa.
ED said the crackdown is part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, focusing on striking at the financial roots of drug syndicates. “By targeting the laundering of illicit proceeds and attaching properties acquired through drug money, ED is reinforcing the national campaign’s objective of building a drug-free India,” the agency stated.
Investigations are continuing to identify other beneficiaries, facilitators, and assets linked to the cartel.
