The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has turned its focus on suspected overseas assets of Naveen Chichkar, including a privately purchased island in Australia, as part of its probe into an alleged international drug syndicate. Authorities believe Chichkar is running hydroponic weed operations from abroad, sending contraband into India from Thailand and the United States, including through postal services.
In India, Chichkar’s movable properties include 15 bank accounts and seized cash, along with five immovable properties in Maharashtra valued at R10 crore. These have been identified and seized under the SAFEMA and NDPS Acts. Authorities believe these assets represent only a fraction of his total wealth and are continuing to trace additional holdings.
The Mumbai unit of the ED has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and begun examining Chichkar’s financial links, assets tied to the syndicate, and alleged proceeds of narcotics operations worth over Rs 1000 crore.
Chichkar, already booked in multiple drug trafficking cases by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Navi Mumbai police, is now under scrutiny for his money trail. Officials said more associates linked to the racket may come under investigation as the probe unfolds.
The NCB had initially acted after seizing 11.540 kg of cocaine, 4.9 kg of ganja, and 5.5 kg of cannabis gummies on January 31, 2025. The cocaine was allegedly smuggled into Mumbai from Thailand and then distributed domestically and internationally. Chichkar, reportedly a key mastermind of the syndicate, was deported from Malaysia after a red-corner notice was issued and later arrested by the NCB. Several associates, including an illegal hawala operator, transporter, distributor, and peddler, have also been taken into custody. The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch had earlier arrested Chichkar in connection with 17.2 grams of hydro ganja worth R2.80 lakh on April 14.
15
No. of bank accounts belonging to Chickar
