November 17, 2025
NEW DELHI – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday said it conducted search operations in a money laundering case linked to narcotics, leading to the seizure of 82.53 kg of cocaine in Delhi, the recovery of Rs 70 lakh in cash, and the freezing of 110 mule bank accounts.
The operations were conducted on November 14 at five locations across Delhi-NCR and Jaipur under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into a major narcotics trafficking and money laundering network.
An official stated that during searches, the ED seized unaccounted cash amounting to Rs. 70 lakh, along with incriminating documents, digital devices, and financial records. “The case pertains to the seizure of 82.53 kilograms of cocaine by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in November 2024, which led to the registration of Complaint No. 36/2024 by the NCB against several individuals and entities involved in a global drug trafficking syndicate,” he said.
“The searches also uncovered an online betting and gambling network operated through mobile-based applications. The operation resulted in the freezing of 110 mule bank accounts, including 73 accounts linked with UPI IDs and digital wallets that were actively used for handling transactions related to the betting operations. Furthermore, documents and digital evidence seized during the searches have exposed the use of Dubai-based cryptocurrency wallets for transferring funds,” the official added.
The searches form part of the ED’s continued efforts to dismantle the financial ecosystem supporting narcotics cartels and digital laundering networks.
A further investigation is underway to trace the ultimate beneficiaries and to identify additional domestic and foreign assets created from the proceeds of crime.