New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested a suspected narcotics smuggler allegedly linked to the import of heroin concealed in semi-processed talc and drug-related seizures across Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, an official said on Tuesday.
Gaurav Dawar was arrested by the ED’s Headquarters Office in New Delhi on September 17 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. According to the agency, he was allegedly involved in generating Proceeds of Crime (PoC) worth nearly Rs 89 crore through narcotics trafficking, contraband smuggling and hawala transactions.
The ED said its investigation found that proceeds allegedly generated from drug trafficking were systematically layered and integrated into commercial hospitality businesses, nightclubs and luxury assets.
ED Probes Rs 89 Crore Proceeds From Drug Trafficking
According to the agency, Dawar made cash investments in Delhi-based nightclubs “Play by Club” and “White Club”, operated through Newera Feast and Hospitality Pvt Ltd (NFHPL) along with other accused persons.
Following his arrest, Dawar was produced before the Special Judge (PMLA) at Tis Hazari Courts in New Delhi on September 18. The court subsequently sent him to five days of ED custody.
The ED said its investigation was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and the IPC against Harpreet Singh Talwar and others over alleged drug-smuggling activities.
The NIA has earlier filed six charge sheets against multiple accused in the case, alleging a conspiracy with an international drug-smuggling syndicate operating from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Dubai.
Rs 74 Crore Hawala Trail Under Investigation
The NIA investigation had identified alleged proceeds of around Rs 74 crore from the illegal sale of narcotic drugs that were transferred through hawala channels to Afghanistan. The agency had alleged that the money was used for funding terrorist activities.
The ED said its investigation has now identified total alleged Proceeds of Crime of around Rs 89 crore, including the Rs 74 crore hawala transactions identified by the NIA, along with proceeds linked to contraband smuggling and distribution of drug money.
The ED said further investigation is underway to identify additional proceeds generated through the alleged network.
Dawar Allegedly Received Cash And Goods From Dubai
The ED said multiple searches have been conducted under the PMLA in the case, with the latest searches carried out between July 15 and July 17, 2026.
According to the agency, Dawar and co-accused Harpreet Singh Talwar allegedly received remuneration in cash, hawala and kind for facilitating narcotics consignments sent by the international syndicate.
The alleged payments in kind included prohibited or restricted consignments such as Gudangaram cigarettes, betel nut consignments, dry dates and perfumes, which the ED said were received from the alleged mastermind Vitaysh Koser alias Raju Dubai, a wanted accused.
The agency further alleged that Dawar received cash in UAE dirhams (AED) directly from Raju Dubai on multiple occasions during visits to Dubai, where he allegedly facilitated drug-smuggling operations.
The ED said the arrest is part of the government’s broader approach to tackling drug smuggling, money laundering and hawala networks. The agency said its investigation into the case remains ongoing.