Sandalwood drug racket: ED files money-laundering case to probe hawala angle

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Sep 11, 2020: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today registered a money-laundering case to investigate the Sandalwood drug trafficking case that involves stars from the Karnataka film industry.

 

ED sources said a large amount of money was illegally laundered by the drug syndicate, which has been active for years.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the ED will be investigating the financial aspects of the high-profile drug peddling case that has taken the state by a storm. He had added the investigating agency will also probe if there is a hawala angle to this case.

Hawala denotes illegal transaction of funds by skirting the legal banking channels.

"Central Crime Branch (CCB) investigation will continue in Bengaluru. Some accused are being presented before the court. I have instructed officials to take information coming from all sources regarding the case seriously. Information from media reports should also be considered and investigated," the home minister said.

He said drugs have financial aspects and in most cases it is suspected that there is a foreign connection to it.

"For detailed and thorough investigation ED’s role is also important, they have collected information. ED will inquire into matters that come under their purview," he said.

Meanwhile, the police investigation into this case so far has led to several arrests including that of actresses Ragini Dwivedi, Sanjjanaa Galrani, and high-end party planner Viren Khanna, among others.


courtesy: IndiaToday