Overview
- The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at five Delhi locations on Wednesday after fresh inputs that narcotics proceeds from the Mundra consignment were invested in nightclubs and other local businesses.
- The raids targeted premises tied to businessman Harpreet Singh Talwar (also known as Kabir Talwar), a man named Shamshudeen, and their associates as part of a PMLA money‑laundering probe.
- The probe grows out of the September 13, 2021 seizure by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence of about 2,988.21 kg of Afghan‑origin heroin at Mundra port that officials value at roughly Rs 21,000 crore on the illicit market.
- The National Investigation Agency has alleged the smuggling was run by an international network involving Afghan, Iranian and Pakistani actors and that some proceeds were used to fund Pakistan‑based terror groups, a claim now being followed up financially by the ED.
- Investigations are ongoing and could lead to attachment of assets and further searches; Talwar was arrested by the NIA in August 2022 and has since been granted bail, which leaves his businesses and associates exposed to continued enforcement action and possible asset freezes.