The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating a money laundering case linked to a synthetic contraband seizure in Mumbai valued at over INR 7 crore. The ED is now set to send a formal request, known as a Letters Rogatory (LR), to US authorities.
This is part of an effort to uncover potential financial transactions between a US-based illegal network and a Mumbai-based drug syndicate. The ED's investigation began following a Mumbai police case about the discovery of a forbidden narcotic and synthetic contraband, Ketamine, during searches at an Andheri courier office.
The local syndicate is suspected of supplying drugs to the US-based syndicate. The US authorities are expected to provide information confirming this relationship through the LR. The ED is monitoring certain licenced scheduled drug dealers in Chennai and Lucknow who are suspected of illegally selling consignments to trafficking organisations.
In 2019, US authorities detained eight suspected members of the US-based syndicate. They were charged with allegedly importing fake prescription pills and opioids from India. Ezhil Kamaldoss, a member of the syndicate, was found guilty in June 2022 for distributing illegal substances imported from India and for a money laundering conspiracy.
Ali Shirazi, one of the seven accused in the case, was detained by Mumbai police last year. The ED took custody of him earlier this year. The confiscated drugs and contraband were reportedly intended for smuggling into Australia and the UK.
The ED's investigation revealed that the Mumbai-based syndicate operated a network of companies, including US-incorporated businesses, to facilitate the shipment of opioids and the routing of the sale's proceeds back to India.
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