New Delhi, 03 September (H.S.):

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday launched a large-scale simultaneous search operation at 30 locations across South India in connection with eight drug-related cases under the government’s Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign.

Multiple zonal teams of the ED are conducting searches across Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

According to the ED, the coordinated operation, being conducted simultaneously across all zones in the southern region, involves investigations into eight separate cases relating to drug trafficking and alleged financial transactions associated with the illegal trade. During the searches, the agency is attempting to trace proceeds of crime, properties, bank accounts, documents and digital evidence linked to illicit narcotics activities. Further investigation is underway.

In the Tamil Nadu case involving Nisardeen, Kasilingam and others, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested Sri Lankan nationals N. Ajanthan and K. Madhushan, who were residing at the Mandapam refugee camp, on June 11, 2024. A total of 1.470 kg of methamphetamine was recovered from their possession.

On June 14, 2024, K. Krishna Kumari was allegedly apprehended while receiving money from Mohammed Rizaludeen at Shop No. 193/138 on Angappa Naicken Street in Mannadi, Chennai. The authorities recovered more than Rs 1.29 crore in Indian currency, US$30,000 and Sri Lankan Rs 5,030 from the premises.

According to the ED, the premises was being operated by Mohammed Rizaludeen on behalf of S. Nisardeen, who is based in Dubai, and was allegedly being used for unauthorised hawala transactions. Searches are being conducted at two locations in Chennai and Ramanathapuram district in connection with the case.

In another Tamil Nadu case involving Syed Ibrahim, Baysul Rahman and others, the NCB arrested Baysul Rahman near the Kilambakkam Bus Terminus in Chennai on July 24, 2024. The agency recovered 5.970 kg of methamphetamine from his possession. The NCB also seized Rs 39.38 lakh in cash, 586 grams of gold and one kilogram of silver in the case.

According to the ED, the investigation in this case is examining aspects related to hawala and cash transactions between Chennai and Ramanathapuram. Searches are underway at two locations in Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli.

In the Tamil Nadu case involving Uday Kumar and others, the NCB recovered two kg of methamphetamine from Sri Lankan national S. Uday Kumar at Room No. 109 of Hotel White Palace in Mannadi, Chennai, on December 10, 2023. The investigation revealed that he had allegedly been sent to Chennai on the instructions of Rajan alias Madan to receive the consignment.

In the same case, the NCB also recovered 54.600 kg of methamphetamine from Wireless Ground in Ambattur. According to the ED, searches are being conducted at six locations in connection with the case.

In the Tamil Nadu case involving M. Alex and others, the NCB arrested M. Alex near Melavilakudi on the Pudukkottai-Madurai route on April 13, 2025, with 950 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride. Two lakh rupees in cash, three mobile phones and a Toyota Camry were also seized from his possession.

The investigation has examined properties held in the names of his family members and related bank transactions. According to the ED, the alleged investment of drug proceeds in around 54 shrimp farms and vehicles in Nagapattinam, Velankanni and Thaliyamadi is also being investigated. Searches are underway at six locations in Nagapattinam and Velankanni.

In the Karnataka case involving Mrityunjaya alias Jayanna alias M.J. and others, authorities recovered 1.005 kg of hashish oil and 1.2 kg of ganja from the accused on July 6, 2022. According to the ED, their estimated illegal market value was around Rs 80 lakh.

The financial investigation detected total deposits of more than Rs 5.15 crore in six bank accounts belonging to the accused and his wife, along with cash deposits exceeding Rs 2.39 crore. The agency is also examining suspicious UPI transactions worth Rs 57.17 lakh and transactions linked to eight immovable properties.

Searches are being conducted at three locations in Kolar district, Malur and Hoskote in Karnataka.

In the Telangana case involving Kalapathi Nithubai and others, the investigation is based on three FIRs registered by the police. According to the ED, the accused and his associates allegedly procured ganja from Odisha, Araku and Dhoolpet in Hyderabad, stored it in residential premises, repackaged it into smaller packets and sold it in Nankramguda and surrounding areas.

During three operations, approximately 53.5 kg of ganja, Rs 67.35 lakh in cash, mobile phones, PhonePe scanners and vehicles were seized. The investigation also identified three immovable properties purchased for Rs 86.78 lakh between 2021 and 2023.

Searches are underway at three locations in Serilingampally and Nankramguda in Telangana.

In the Kerala case involving Ayush Vinod and others, Kerala Police arrested Ayush Vinod on the Aluva-Paravur KSRTC route with 1.166 kg of hybrid ganja. His scooter was also seized. Subsequently, around 15 kg of hybrid ganja was recovered from his residence and his wife, Anila M.A., was arrested.

During questioning, investigating agencies reportedly gathered information about an organised network involved in transporting hybrid ganja from Bangkok to Kochi. According to the ED, the investigation is examining the roles of various individuals involved in procurement, transportation, local distribution and hawala transactions. Searches are underway at four locations in Kochi and neighbouring districts.

In another Kerala case involving Ligeesh and others, 949.26 grams of MDMA was recovered from accused Ligeesh, who had arrived from Muscat. A chargesheet has already been filed against four accused in the case.

According to the ED, the investigation revealed that Ligeesh had allegedly brought the narcotic substance into India for local distribution. Searches under the PMLA are being conducted at the residential premises of four accused in Kozhikode.

The agency is also attempting to trace properties acquired through proceeds of crime, bank accounts, documents and other relevant evidence from these premises. Further investigation in the case is continuing.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar