Mumbai, October 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized incriminating material, digital devices and financial records during searches at 11 premises across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra, as well as Surat and Bhavnagar in Gujarat, as part of an investigation into an alleged international drug trafficking network, an official said on Friday.
The ED’s Mumbai Zonal Office-L conducted the searches on Wednesday under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, targeting an international narcotics syndicate allegedly led by Navin Chichkar, Dhiraj Chichkar and their associates, according to an official statement.
The searches aimed to establish how proceeds from drug sales, received largely in cash, were introduced into the financial system and subsequently layered to make them appear as legitimate income, the statement said.
The operations across the 11 premises were intended to trace the trafficking network and identify proceeds of crime (PoC) generated through illicit drug sales by what the ED described as a well-established international narcotics syndicate.
The investigation was initiated following a complaint filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The complaint followed the seizure of substantial quantities of high-grade hydroponic cannabis, cocaine and unaccounted cash in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
According to the ED, Navin Chichkar and others were allegedly involved in an established international network engaged in the sale of cocaine, hydroponic cannabis, LSD and cannabis-based edibles, much of which was sourced from outside India.
During the searches, officials seized various incriminating materials and digital devices, including high-end smartphones, laptops and internal storage media. Commercial account books, financial ledgers and investment records were also recovered, the statement added.
The investigation revealed that proceeds from narcotics sales were routed through financial channels, while cash was converted into foreign currencies, including US dollars and Thai baht, which were subsequently made available to the accused, the ED said.
The agency also found that cash proceeds of crime had allegedly been invested in certain legitimate businesses to present the funds as untainted money.
Searches at premises associated with cryptocurrency traders also revealed details of certain crypto wallets and assets prima facie linked to the alleged proceeds of crime, the ED said.
The agency further stated that the suspected individuals were operating several cryptocurrency trading accounts from outside India. The identified details are being examined to trace linked accounts, establish transaction histories and secure the alleged proceeds of crime.
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