Lucknow: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Thursday conducted search operations at 13 locations across Uttar Pradesh under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as part of its ongoing investigation into an alleged terror funding and illegal infiltration network.
The searches were carried out in connection with Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) No. ECIR/LKZO/14/2024, which relates to an alleged network involved in terror financing and facilitating illegal infiltration into India.
Probe Based on Uttar Pradesh ATS FIR
According to officials, the money laundering investigation is based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
The FIR pertains to an organised syndicate allegedly involved in facilitating the illegal entry of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India, arranging forged Indian identity documents, and helping them settle and rehabilitate in different parts of the country.
ED Examining Alleged Financial Network
Officials said the predicate investigation has uncovered what appears to be an extensive financial network involving certain charitable trusts and other entities that allegedly received substantial foreign contributions.
Investigators suspect that these funds were diverted through multiple bank accounts, mule accounts, and layered financial transactions to support the alleged illegal activities.
The probe has also indicated that the network allegedly relied on cash withdrawals and numerous small-value financial transfers routed to suspected beneficiaries in an attempt to avoid detection and conceal the movement of funds.
Searches Aimed at Tracing Money Trail
Officials said the searches were conducted to collect evidence and trace the flow of money allegedly linked to the suspected network.
The Enforcement Directorate stated that the investigation is ongoing and further details are expected as the probe progresses.