ED Crackdown: Major Drug Syndicate Busted in Coastal Smuggling Operation

The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids in Madurai and Chennai targeting a drug syndicate smuggling narcotics to Sri Lanka. The operation, under PMLA, follows DRI intelligence, leading to the seizure of 99 kg of hashish and 37.5 kg of methamphetamine. Kingpin John Britto and his associates are the primary suspects.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed a series of search operations on Tuesday across five locations in Madurai and Chennai. These actions are part of a crackdown on a significant drug smuggling syndicate accused of trafficking narcotics to Sri Lanka via sea routes.

Authorities have accused the cartel of smuggling vast quantities of contraband. Among the seized items were 99 kg of hashish, valued at Rs 108 crore, and 37.5 kg of methamphetamine, known as ICE, valued at Rs 150 crore on the international market. These searches are being conducted by ED's Chennai Zonal Office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The investigation follows criminal complaints lodged by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) against alleged kingpin John Britto and his associates. Acting on inputs from the Indian Coast Guard, the DRI previously seized 99 kg of hashish from a fishing boat in the Gulf of Mannar. The ED aims to dismantle the financial network supporting these smuggling operations.