PMLA case linked to narcotic trafficking
Panaji: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji zonal office, has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 7.17 crore in connection with a money laundering case linked to narcotic trafficking.
The attached assets are a three-storied residential house and two double-storied houses, all located in Assagao, Bardez. These properties are held in the names of accused Prasad Walke and his wife Sheetal. ED initiated its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on a March 2021 drugs case filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) against Ugochukwu Solomon Ubabuko, Infinity John alias Valentine Ejezie, and Prasad Prakash Walke.
According to the probe agency, NCB had seized commercial quantities of narcotic substances—including LSD, cocaine, charas, and ganja—from premises in Assagao.
Subsequent searches at Walke’s residence also led to the recovery of LSD.
Investigations revealed that proceeds from illicit drug trafficking were funneled into the banking system through substantial cash deposits in multiple accounts held by Walke and his wife. The three attached properties, valued at Rs 7.17 crore, have been deemed ‘proceeds of crime’ derived from offences under the NDPS Act, 1985.
ED noted that Walke had previously been arrested by NCB in 2018 and again by the anti-narcotic cell (ANC) of the Goa Police in 2023 in separate NDPS cases involving the seizure of MDMA, ecstasy powder, and hydroponic weed.
He is currently in judicial custody.
ED stated that further investigation is underway to identify all beneficiaries and facilitators, and to trace assets generated from illicit activities.
Reiterating its commitment to combating drug trafficking and money laundering, the agency emphasised that it will continue to invoke provisions of PMLA and related laws.
As part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the agency affirmed its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks by targeting their financial foundations.
