The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches across Mumbai as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged drug trafficking network, officials said, reported news agency PTI.
The action has been undertaken to trace the sale proceeds acquired by a “well-established” drug trafficking network involving Faisal Javed Shaikh and Alfiya Faisal Shaikh, reported PTI.
Eight premises in Mumbai are being covered under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.
Faisal Shaikh was purchasing stimulant drug MD (mephedrone or `meow meow`) through Salim Dola, a notorious drug kingpin wanted by law enforcement agencies for his involvement in narcotics trafficking and funding illegal drug networks, the officials said, reported PTI.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has announced a reward for information leading to Dola`s arrest, according to the officials.
The ED`s action is part of a broader crackdown on drug-related money laundering and aims to dismantle the financial channels supporting the narcotics trade in Mumbai and adjoining areas.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at 15 premises in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Haryana, and Mumbai in connection with the tech support scam, officials said.
The searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of the agency`s action in the case it initiated based on multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Delhi Police.
ED investigation reveals that the accused were running several fake call centres operating from Rohini, Paschim Vihar, and Rajouri Garden in Delhi. “These centres allegedly targeted foreign nationals by posing as representatives of reputed global firms,” said the agency.
In another case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, at 17 locations across Kerala and Tamil Nadu in connection with the ongoing probe into alleged smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles and unauthorised foreign exchange dealings, officials said.
The searches are underway based on inputs exposing a syndicate engaged in illegal import and registration of luxury cars such as Land Cruiser, Defender, and Maserati through India-Bhutan and India-Nepal routes.
(With inputs from PTI)
