Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at 11 premises in Maharashtra and Gujarat as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to an alleged international drug network run by Navin Chichkar, news agency PTI reported, citing officials. The ED's Mumbai Zonal Office carried out the searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and said in a statement reported on Friday that it seized incriminating material and digital devices during the operation.

Source: PTI via Swadesi News

According to the ED, the searches covered premises in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra, and Surat and Bhavnagar in Gujarat, and targeted the network allegedly led by Navin Chichkar, Dhiraj Chichkar and their aides. The agency said the searches were intended to trace how proceeds from alleged drug sales — received mainly in cash — were brought into the financial system and layered so as to project them as legitimate income, IANS reported.

Source: IANS via Nation Press

11Premises searched in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Surat and Bhavnagar
Rs 1,128 croreValue of drugs the ED alleges the syndicate sold in India
2025Year Navin Chichkar was brought back to India from Malaysia
PMLA, 2002Law under which the searches were conducted

The ED said its investigation began from a complaint filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai under the NDPS Act, following seizures of substantial quantities of high-grade hydroponic cannabis, cocaine and unaccounted cash in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The agency alleges that the network sold cocaine, hydroponic cannabis, LSD and cannabis edibles largely sourced from outside India; PTI reported that Chichkar was alleged to be operating a syndicate that sold drugs worth Rs 1,128 crore in India, including cocaine and hybrid-strain hydroponic weed sourced from the USA via cargo shipments. These are the agency's allegations and have not been proved in court.

Source: ED statement via Punjab Page

On the money trail, the ED alleges that cash generated from narcotics sales was converted into foreign currencies, including US dollars and Thai baht, and routed through hawala operators and cryptocurrency, with the accused investing funds in crypto assets. Officials said the recovered digital devices and records are being examined to map the flows and identify further proceeds of crime. Navin Chichkar, 36, was brought back to India by probe agencies from Malaysia in 2025 and is wanted in multiple drug cases, PTI reported. The investigation is continuing.