The Enforcement Directorate has arrested six individuals involved in a cross-border drug smuggling network.
New Delhi [India], October 22: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has apprehended six individuals in connection with an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) related to a cross-border drug smuggling network, the agency announced on Tuesday.
The arrests were made by the ED's Delhi unit during various operations conducted on October 11, October 18, and October 20.
The individuals arrested have been identified as Lovejit Singh alias Labba, Manjeet Singh alias Manna, Prabhjit Singh, Gurjot Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Gurpreet Singh.
"The investigation revealed a significant drug trafficking operation involving the smuggling of heroin from Afghanistan into India," the ED stated.
The PMLA investigation was initiated following the seizure of 293.81 kg of heroin from containers imported by Sandhu Exports at Nhava Sheva Port by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, along with an additional 352.71 kg of heroin found in two vehicles and a flat in Faridabad, Haryana, by the Delhi Police Special Cell.
In total, 646.52 kg of heroin has been seized so far.
The ED's investigation indicated that the arrested individuals—Lovejit Singh, Manjeet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Gurjot Singh, Gurpreet Singh, and Prabhjit Singh—were involved in coordinating the smuggling, storage, and distribution of heroin across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
"These individuals were key members of a syndicate that smuggled heroin from Afghanistan and Iran, concealing it within shipments of talc stone and gypsum powder," the ED reported.
The accused established Sandhu Exports, a front company owned by Prabhjit Singh, to facilitate drug smuggling, according to the federal agency.
The ED uncovered a sophisticated heroin smuggling and money laundering operation, identifying multiple bank accounts, cash transactions, and operational expenses linked to the accused.
"The individuals disguised the origin of the illicit funds, which were layered and integrated into seemingly legitimate financial activities. It was also revealed that the syndicate did not make payments to Afghan suppliers until the drugs were sold in local markets."
Additionally, the agency noted that the accused made cash payments to purchase multiple vehicles, including Toyota Fortuner, Etios, and Hyundai Verna, from the second-hand market for trafficking from storage hubs to further distribution.
The investigation revealed that cash was used to buy high-end smartphones, and encrypted communication apps were utilized to coordinate smuggling operations.
"Drugs smuggled from Iran and Afghanistan were imported through the Nhava Sheva port in Mumbai, stored in a rented godown in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, and then distributed for local supply in parts of Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana. Transportation was done in smaller quantities of 10 kg to evade detection by law enforcement."
Earlier, the ED had attached a property in Jandoli Village (Rajpura, Punjab), along with multiple bank accounts and fixed deposits belonging to the accused.