PANAJI/NEW DELHI, 16 January (H.S.): Enforcement Directorate executed sweeping searches across five states on Friday, targeting an intricate money laundering network intertwined with narcotics trafficking, as confirmed by official sources.Led by the agency's Goa zonal office, the operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) encompassed approximately 20-25 premises in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, and Kerala.

These raids stemmed directly from a pivotal First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Goa Police, signalling a robust escalation in federal efforts to dismantle cross-border drug syndicates.

The investigation traces its roots to Goa Police's ANC FIR, amid heightened vigilance following a dramatic surge in drug seizures statewide—valued at Rs 78 crore in 2025, up nearly 700% from the previous year. Authorities aim to sever supply chains involving kingpins, distributors, and peddlers leveraging dark web, social media, and cryptocurrency conduits.

This coordinated crackdown underscores the ED's mandate to trace and confiscate proceeds of crime, building on Goa's recent formation of an Anti-Narcotics Task Force to foster inter-agency synergy and policy reforms against the escalating menace. Further disclosures on findings and arrests are anticipated as searches conclude.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar