Under PMLA
In the city as well as Nagapattinam, at least 10 properties linked to Nizaruddin and Syed, who have been been arrested by NCB under drugs smuggling charges, and their relatives were searched by ED’s Zone 1 team. Similarly, Zone 2 of Chennai ED carried out searches in eight places linked to Alex Mahalingam in Nagapattinam. Alex was arrested by NCB in April last year in possession of 1 kg amphetamine and he has multiple cases pending against him in Velankanni and Keelaiyur.
In Chennai, searches were carried out in four places including Anna Nagar and Perambur.
ED sources said that the accused have built luxury bungalows apart from owning multiple properties in the names of their relatives and friends. ED, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, has initiated investigation to ascertain whether properties were acquired through proceeds of crime from their illegal drug business and money laundering.