A nationwide dragnet unfolded as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed search warrants in connection with a Goa-linked international narcotics money laundering racket. Operations spanned six states, marking one of the agency’s most expansive actions this year.
The case traces back to intelligence on large-scale smuggling via Goa’s ports, where consignments of banned substances evaded customs. ED’s Financial Intelligence Unit flagged suspicious transfers totaling hundreds of crores, prompting today’s blitzkrieg raids.
Teams combed through business establishments, warehouses, and private villas, unearthing ledgers of hawala deals and undeclared foreign accounts. High-profile individuals in the hospitality and logistics sectors are under the scanner, their empires allegedly built on drug profits.
With the PMLA probe intensifying, ED aims to attach properties and pursue fugitive handlers. Collaboration with Narcotics Control Bureau has yielded vital leads. This operation highlights systemic vulnerabilities in coastal trade routes and the need for vigilant financial oversight.
As night falls, ED vows no stone unturned. The raids could culminate in major busts, sending a strong message to transnational crime syndicates operating in India.