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Informative

Directorate of Enforcement Files Prosecution Complaint in International Dru.g Trafficking and Money Laundering Case

Update / Judgement Date

26 Oct 2025

Source

WCP News Bulletin

Author

Sakshi Bhardwaj — WCP Legal Desk

Reading Time

3 min read

Financial ManagementOther Legal Matters
Directorate of Enforcement Files Prosecution Complaint in International Dru.g Trafficking and Money Laundering Case
WCP News Bulletin
Headnote:

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has filed a Prosecution Complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, against seven accused persons in connection with an international drug trafficking and money laundering case involving smuggling of 4.325 kilograms of cocaine into India from Laos. The case highlights the transnational dimensions of narcotics trafficking and the use of shell entities for laundering the proceeds of crime (POC).


Background
  1. The case originated from an FIR registered by the Crime Branch, Goa Police, concerning the smuggling of 4.325 kilograms of cocaine from Laos to India.
  2. On the basis of the FIR, the ED initiated a money laundering investigation against Nibu Vincent and others.
  3. On 18.10.2025, the ED filed a Prosecution Complaint before the Special Court (PMLA), Goa, against seven accused persons — Vedasto Audax (Tanzanian National), Masoom Uikey, Chirag Dudhat, Tariro Brightmore Mangwana (Zimbabwe National), Reshma Wadekar, Mangesh Wadekar, and Nibu Vincent.
  4. Earlier, on 19.08.2025, the ED conducted nationwide search operations across Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Goa, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, leading to seizure of digital evidence, incriminating documents, and freezing of multiple bank accounts linked to laundering of POC.


Findings of Investigation:
  1. Tariro Brightmore Mangwana was arrested on 22.08.2025 under Section 19 of the PMLA for his central role in facilitating international narcotics trafficking and laundering of illicit proceeds.
  2. Mangwana was found arranging travel logistics, financing Indian drug couriers, and receiving commission from Vedasto Audax, a Tanzanian national identified as a key accused.
  3. A Provisional Attachment Order (PAO) dated 18.10.2025, amounting to ₹45.15 lakh, was issued against property located at North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, belonging to Reshma Wadekar, who had earlier carried 4.3 kg of cocaine from Vientiane, Laos, to India in March 2025.
  4. The ED’s financial probe has so far revealed generation of POC worth ₹88.14 lakh associated with the trafficking operation.
  5. The investigation also uncovered linkages to international drug syndicates operating from the Golden Triangle, Middle East, Nepal, and Bangladesh, indicating a global trafficking network.


Court’s Observations:

As the prosecution complaint has been filed, judicial proceedings are expected to focus on:

  1. The role of each accused in the international trafficking network.
  2. The chain of laundering activities, including shell entities and benami accounts.
  3. The attachment of properties representing proceeds of crime under Section 5 of the PMLA.


Legal Provisions Discussed:
  1. Section 3, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 – Offence of money laundering.
  2. Section 4, PMLA, 2002 – Punishment for money laundering.
  3. Section 5, PMLA, 2002 – Provisional attachment of property involved in money laundering.
  4. Section 19, PMLA, 2002 – Power to arrest.


Conclusion:

The ED reiterated its commitment to dismantle narcotics-linked financial networks under the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’, aiming for a drug-free India. The agency affirmed that further investigation is underway to identify additional beneficiaries, facilitators, and assets derived from the proceeds of crime.

Case: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office v. Vedasto Audax & Ors.

Court: Special Court (PMLA), Goa

Provisions Invoked: Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)