Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested two men in connection with a transnational narcotics trafficking syndicate operated by Dawood Ibrahim’s close aide and drug trafficker Salim Ismail Dola and his associates. The agency has alleged that the accused were involved in the clandestine manufacture of mephedrone, procurement of chemicals used to produce the drug and the movement of proceeds generated through its illicit sale.
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The ED’s Mumbai Zonal Office arrested Pravin alias Nagesh Ramchandra Shinde and Brijesh Kanjibhai Moradiya as part of its investigation into the organised drug trafficking network.
The investigation has uncovered a network spanning the procurement of precursor chemicals, illegal drug manufacturing, interstate distribution, international trafficking and the movement of proceeds through hawala channels, according to the ED.
HOW THE TWO ACCUSED ALLEGEDLY OPERATED
The ED’s investigation has revealed that Pravin alias Nagesh Ramchandra Shinde was allegedly involved in the clandestine manufacture of mephedrone, commonly known as MD, and activities related to the generation, handling, possession, use and movement of proceeds derived from its illicit sale.
The agency has further found that proceeds from the alleged drug trade were used to acquire immovable properties and other assets in the names of people closely associated with Shinde.
Brijesh Kanjibhai Moradiya, meanwhile, was allegedly involved in arranging the procurement and supply of precursor chemicals used in the illegal manufacture of MD.
According to the ED, cash received in connection with the procurement of these chemicals was routed from Salim Dola through the Angadiya channel. The money was then deposited into and moved through multiple third-party and family bank accounts, as well as entities controlled or arranged by Moradiya and his associates.
The funds were subsequently transferred through banking channels to various chemical companies and entities to facilitate the procurement of precursor chemicals.
At the same time, amounts linked to these transactions were allegedly received by Moradiya and accounts associated with him and his family in the guise of commission from chemical sales. The money was then transferred further, layered through multiple transactions and utilised.
ED SEARCHES 21 LOCATIONS, SEIZES ASSETS WORTH RS 1.33 CRORE
Earlier in the case, the ED conducted search operations at 21 locations across Mumbai, Surat, Ankleshwar and Rajkot on June 2 and 3, 2026.
The searches targeted various links in the alleged syndicate, including precursor chemical suppliers, chemical traders, manufacturers and distributors of mephedrone, hawala operators and individuals suspected of holding benami properties worth crores of rupees acquired using proceeds generated by the drug network.
During the operations, the agency seized or froze cash, foreign currency, gold bars and bank balances collectively valued at approximately Rs 1.33 crore. An additional USD 2,200 was also seized or frozen.
The searches also led to the recovery of documents relating to immovable properties worth several crores of rupees in India and Dubai. According to the ED, the documents indicated substantial investments made using proceeds generated by the organised drug syndicate.
The agency said further investigation into the case was underway.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
