NT Reporter
Panaji
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Panaji zonal office has conducted multi-state searches in Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Haryana, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Goa in connection with a money laundering case linked to drug trafficking.
In this connection, ED arrested Tariro Mangwana, a Zimbabwe national, for his alleged role in an
international organised
drug syndicate and money laundering. The Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Goa has remanded him in three days’ ED custody.
The ED’s money laundering probe stems from a Goa crime branch case of April 2025, in which four accused were arrested and cocaine worth around Rs 43 crore was seized. ED said the extensive search operation carried out recently exposed the role of a wider organised syndicate engaged in narcotics trafficking, racketeering, and laundering proceeds of crime across multiple states and foreign countries. During the raid, investigators seized multiple digital devices, electronic storage media, incriminating documents, and froze several bank accounts linked to laundering activities.
“The materials recovered contain vital evidence pointing towards the financial trail of drug trafficking proceeds, the use of layering techniques to conceal illicit funds and the involvement of secondary handlers and facilitators who acted as the second layer of the syndicate,” ED said.
According to ED, investigations under PMLA have revealed strong evidence of international linkages and communication with networks outside India, showing that the cartel was not limited to Goa but had cross-border contacts for procurement and distribution.
“Investigation has also revealed the use of shell entities and benami accounts for routing funds, thereby disguising the origin of the money earned through drug trafficking. Investigations revealed that certain foreign nationals were involved in procuring travel tickets and arranging logistics for Indian nationals to travel abroad for trafficking of narcotics drugs,” ED said.
“As part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, ED remains steadfast in its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks by striking at their financial roots. By targeting the laundering of illicit proceeds and attaching properties acquired through drug money, ED is reinforcing the national campaign’s objective of building a drug-free India,” ED officials said.
“This operation exemplifies ED’s continuous efforts to curb the illegal drug trade and to trace, identify, and attach the proceeds of crime generated from such activities along with sending a strong deterrent message,” ED officials further said.
Further investigation is under way to identify all beneficiaries and facilitators and trace assets generated from the illicit activities.
