Kochi | The ED conducted raids at multiple locations in Kozhikode and Palakkad districts on Thursday as part of a money laundering probe related to the smuggling of hybrid ganja from Thailand, officials said.
According to Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, searches are being conducted at the residences of accused persons Abu Tahir, Harikrishnan, Jagath and Jaisal in Kozhikode and Palakkad districts.
In June this year, Ernakulam Rural Police arrested a couple and seized around 18 kg of hybrid ganja, worth around Rs 18 crore, from Perumbavoor.
Hybrid ganja, cultivated using hydroponic techniques, is allegedly smuggled into Keralam mainly from Thailand.
Police later arrested nine more people who were allegedly part of a racket involved in smuggling large quantities of hybrid ganja from Thailand.
Based on the police investigation, the ED recently registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
ED officials said a preliminary probe revealed that the accused were allegedly involved in laundering large amounts of money generated through drug trafficking from Thailand to India.
They allegedly transferred money to Thailand through illegal channels, officials said.
ED is also looking into the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation in the case, officials said.
The accused also allegedly hired carriers and provided them with visas and money to smuggle the narcotic substances, officials said.
ED sources said some of the accused allegedly involved in the racket are still in Thailand and efforts are on by police and the agency to bring them back to India, officials added.
