Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: ED raids four locations in Kerala, documents seized

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 30 locations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana to trace the use of black money in drug transactions. Various documents were seized in the raids conducted at four locations in Palakkad and Kozhikode.

The houses of Harikrishnan, a native of Thrikkathiri in Ottapalam, Palakkad; Abu Tahir, a native of Budhanur in Mundoor; Jagath, a native of Eranjipalam in Kozhikode, and Jaisal, a native of Unnikulam in Balussery, were raided. They are history sheeters, previously arrested in drug cases, including hybrid cannabis smuggling. The raid, which began at 8 am yesterday under CRPF security, lasted till evening.

The camp of Sri Lankan nationals N. Ajithan and Madhusudhanan was raided in connection with the seizure of 1.47 kg of methamphetamine by the Narcotics Control Bureau in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, in 2024. Searches were also conducted at various locations in Chennai.

The raids were related to the accused in three cases registered by the police in Telangana. The ED received information about the transactions of a large gang that collects cannabis from Odisha and sells it in Hyderabad. The ED froze the assets acquired by the gang over six years.

The raids were carried out at the centres of Mrityunjaya alias Jayanna, who was arrested with one kilo of hashish oil in Karnataka.

Yesterday's raids were a continuation of the cases registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau and the police. ED sources said that the raid is part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan implemented by the Centre. The investigation revealed that drug trafficking gangs, including those from abroad, are using black money for transactions. ED sources also said that bank documents and electronic devices of them have been seized.