Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI::The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched search operations at 26 locations across Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, and Delhi in a major international narcotics trafficking and money laundering case (ECIR/PJZO/02/2025 – Madhupan Suresh Sasikala & Others), under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The case originates from an FIR registered by the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Goa Police under the NDPS Act, 1985, concerning commercial-scale trafficking of narcotics. ED officials said the raids revealed a sophisticated inter-state drug syndicate operating on a business-to-business model, with narcotics distributed across multiple states including Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Kerala.
During the searches, authorities seized cash, narcotics including Charas, contraband, and incriminating documents and digital devices.
Analysis of these devices revealed that proceeds from the illegal trade were systematically laundered using UPI, bank transfers, cash, and cryptocurrency transactions, alongside complex financial layering to conceal the origins of the money.
The investigation also uncovered courier-based transport of narcotics and active involvement of multiple associates in both drug distribution and laundering. ED is sharing intelligence with other law enforcement agencies for coordinated action.
The Directorate emphasized its focus on choking financial channels—including crypto networks—used by organised drug syndicates to launder proceeds of crime.
