ED conducts searches across T.N., Keralam, Karnataka, Telangana in eight cases linked to drug trafficking

In a major crackdown, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday (September 3, 2026) conducted searches at 30 locations across Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Karnataka, and Telangana in connection with eight narcotics-related cases.Stating that the exercise covered the southern zone, agency sources said the operation was linked to the national Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan initiative for a drug-free India. The searches are being carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.In Tamil Nadu, the ED is probing the money-laundering angle pertaining to a case in which the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) intercepted N. Ajanthan and K. Madhushan, Sri Lankan nationals residing at the Mandapam Camp for refugees in Ramanathapuram, on June 11, 2024. About 1.47 kg of methamphetamine was seized by the NCB.On June 14, 2024, the NCB detained K. Krishna Kumari while she was allegedly receiving currency from Mohammed Rizaludeen in Chennai’s Mannady. It seized over ₹1.29 crore in Indian currency, U.S. $30,000, and LKR (Sri Lankan rupee) 5,030.The premises was being operated by Rizaludeen on behalf of S. Nisardeen, then residing in Dubai, and was used for unauthorised hawala transactions, according to the allegations. The money delivered was linked to the sale of meth transported to Sri Lanka.The records prima facie revealed an arrangement in which different persons handled procurement and financing of meth, its transportation, and onward delivery to Sri Lanka, and settlement of consideration through ‘hawala’ channels.“The mechanism was supervised remotely, with instructions relayed through the ‘Sacha’ WhatsApp group, and cash delivered against currency note tokens,” an official said, adding that one premises each in Chennai and Ramanathapuram were searched in the matter.In another Tamil Nadu case, the NCB intercepted Bysul Rahman in Chennai on July 24, 2024, and seized 5.97 kg of meth. It is alleged that the contraband was being sent to Sri Lanka. Another accused, Syed Ibrahim, was linked to Bysul Rahman and K. M. Mansoor, and had allegedly played a role in arranging or financing the transaction.The NCB further impounded ₹39.38 lakh in cash, 586 gm of gold, and 1 kg of silver. The ED searched two locations in Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli in the case.On December 10, 2023, the NCB allegedly found two kilogrammes of meth in a Chennai hotel room occupied by a Sri Lankan national, S. Udaya Kumar. He allegedly received the drugs in Chennai from accused Akbar Ali alias Akbar N.Akbar allegedly acted as an intermediary between one Rajan of Sri Lanka and local supplier Raguraj K. He was earlier convicted in a drug-trafficking case and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.The NCB had also seized 54.60 kg of meth concealed in six plastic buckets in Ambattur, Chennai, allegedly by Raguraj. The ED has searched six premises in Chennai and zeroed in on properties in the names of Raguraj’s wife Suganya and brother Kannan.“Investigation has revealed that Syed Ibrahim, an employee of Akbar N. or Akbar Ali at his electronics shop situated in Burma Bazaar, Chennai, played an active role in facilitating the financial transactions connected with the illicit drug trafficking syndicate,” the official said, adding that a ‘hawala’ channel was used to pay ₹8 lakh in advance.The fourth Tamil Nadu case relates to M. Alex, who was intercepted by the NCB on April 13, 2025, in Melavilakudi with 950 gm of meth hydrochloride. He was arrested and is currently lodged at the District Jail in Pudukkottai.“M. Alex is suspected to have amassed properties from income derived from drug dealing and registered them in the names of his family members, including Mahalingam (father), Radhamani (mother), Karthika (wife), and Yogesh (brother), among others,” the official said.The ED has found that Alex and his family members allegedly operated through the bank accounts of unconnected third party individuals. A series of gold loans were raised between July 2024 and March 2025, with the agency suspecting Ms. Karthika Selvaraj and Ms. Radhamani as the ultimate beneficiaries.“These loans are then repaid from the funds allegedly arranged by Alex and his family members,” the official said.The agency suspects that the proceeds from the illegal trade in drugs were invested in around 54 shrimp farms in Nagapattinam, Velankanni, and Thaliyamadi, as well as vehicles. Six locations were searched in Nagapattinam and Velankanni.The Karnataka case is linked to Mruthyunjaya alias Jayanna, who was apprehended in 2022 with 1.005 kg of hashish oil and 1.2 kg of ganja, estimated to be worth around ₹80 lakh. The ED is probing the proceeds generated from the alleged drug trade and searched three premises in Kolar, Malur, and Hoskote.In Telangana, the operation covers the FIRs against accused Kalapathi Nithu Bai and others.“The accused, a closely related family group operating out of Lodha Basthi, Nanakramguda, ran an organised syndicate that procured ganja (marijuana) at low prices from sources in Odisha, Araku, and Dhoolpet (Hyderabad), stored it at their residences, repacked it into small sachets, and sold it at a substantial mark-up across Nanakramguda and adjoining areas,” the official said.Three immovable properties in the name of the main accused are under the ED’s scanner.One Kerala case allegedly involves Ayush Vinod, who was arrested by the State police with 1.166 kg of hybrid ganja. A subsequent search of his residence led to the seizure of around 15 kg more hybrid ganja. His wife Anila M. A. was also arrested.As alleged associate, Harikrishnan V. B., supplied the drug to Ayush and was working with Abu Tahir P. B., who allegedly managed the trafficking network in Kerala. The investigation also uncovered an organised network involving the procurement and movement of hybrid ganja from Bangkok and its distribution in Kerala.The ED has identified the accused Jagath K.M., for his alleged role in handling the financial side of the operation. Four premises are being searched in Kochi and adjoining areas.The second Kerala case pertains to accused Ligiesh, who was intercepted on arrival from Muscat after 949.26 gm of MDMA, worth around ₹50 lakh, was found on him. Three other accused persons have also been identified. The ED searched four locations in Kozhikode.