Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has carried out extensive search operations at 26 premises across multiple States, including Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha and Delhi, in connection with a major narcotics trafficking and money laundering case involving Madhupan SS.
The searches were conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, following the registration of an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) by the ED. The ECIR was based on an FIR filed by the Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Goa Police under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, relating to trafficking of narcotic substances in commercial quantities.
According to the ED, the search operations have exposed a well-organised inter-State drug trafficking syndicate with domestic and international linkages. Investigations revealed that narcotic substances were being distributed on a business-to-business (B2B) basis across several States, including Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Kerala.
During the searches, the ED seized approximately ₹3 crore in cash along with incriminating documents and digital devices. Officials also came across narcotic drugs at certain locations, following which effective coordination was established with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and local police authorities for the seizure of the contraband. In one related case, an accused was arrested by the Delhi Police.
Analysis of the seized digital devices and documents has revealed evidence of large-scale supply of narcotic substances such as MDMA, ecstasy, hash, kush, shrooms, Rashol cream, cocaine, super cream and other drugs across multiple States. The investigation also points to the systematic use of courier and postal channels for transporting narcotics, and the channelisation of proceeds of crime through UPI, bank transfers, cryptocurrency and cash transactions. The ED further noted layering and concealment of illicit proceeds through complex financial channels.
The probe has also uncovered linkages with suppliers and the active involvement of multiple associates and facilitators in the narcotics supply chain and the laundering of illicit proceeds.
Madhupan SS has been arrested under Section 19 of the PMLA, 2002. The Special Court under the PMLA at Goa has remanded the accused to ED custody for seven days.
The ED stated that it remains firmly committed to dismantling organised drug trafficking networks and disrupting the financial channels used for laundering the proceeds of crime. In line with the objectives of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the agency said it continues to act decisively to target the financial foundations of drug trafficking by identifying, tracing and attaching properties acquired from drug-related proceeds.
Further investigation in the matter is ongoing to identify all beneficiaries and facilitators involved and to trace assets generated from the illicit activities.
