Mumbai, Oct 28 The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches in Maharashtra and Gujarat as part of a money laundering investigation linked to a drug network allegedly run by Navin Chichkar, officials said.
Chichkar (36) was brought back to India by probe agencies from Malaysia in 2025.
A total of 11 premises in Maharashtra and Gujarat were searched, officials said.
Wanted in multiple drug cases, Chichkar was alleged to be operating a syndicate that sold drugs worth Rs 1,128 crore in India, including cocaine and hybrid strain hydroponic weed, that were sourced from the USA via cargo shipments.
The ED booked a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) taking cognisance of FIRs filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Navi Mumbai police against the Chichkar network.
ED officials alleged that Chichkar invested funds in cryptocurrency and drug proceeds were deposited with hawala operators, who later paid him through cryptocurrency or Thai Baht.
(PTI News)
