Crypto Transactions Linked to Goa Narcotics Network Prompt Further Charges

A fresh set of charges has been filed by the Enforcement Directorate, focusing on cryptocurrency transactions that were integral to a sprawling drug‑smuggling operation in Goa. The supplementary charge sheet, submitted to the North Goa Principal Metropolitan Court, names five additional accused.

The suspects—Nihar Wadakkancheri Najar, Prasobh P.K., Alfin Thomas, Dhiraj Mathews and Nishant Pratap—are now accused numbers 8 to 12. They are prosecuted under Sections 44 and 45 of the Money‑Laundering Act, 2002, with the primary offence recorded under Section 3.

Investigators traced a portion of the estimated Rs 3.96 crore profit from the original smuggling ring to a series of bank transfers funneled to Dubai. Once there, the funds were exchanged for cryptocurrency, which was subsequently utilized on dark‑web platforms to procure additional narcotics.

The supplementary filing also details the attachment of assets worth Rs 9,39,250 against Anam Charan Pradhan and Rs 17.48 lakh against Uttam Chand, reflecting the proceeds attributed to the new cohort of suspects.

The ED emphasized that cracking the crypto link is essential to dismantling the financial architecture of the drug network, a priority under the national Nasha Mukt Bharat initiative.