ED Files Prosecution Complaint in Jammu PMLA Court Against Drug Trafficker Abdul Momin Peer and Wife.

Headnote:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a Prosecution Complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, against narcotics trafficker Abdul Momin Peer and his wife, Syed Sadaf Andrabi, for laundering proceeds of crime generated through large-scale heroin smuggling and transportation. The investigation revealed that Peer earned approximately ₹2.15 crore through drug trafficking and attempted to project these illegal funds as legitimate income by acquiring a high-value residential property in his wife’s name. The ED has already attached the said property worth ₹1.5 crore under PMLA. The Special Court has issued notices to all accused for 12 December 2025.

Background:

The ED initiated its investigation on the basis of FIR No. 183/2020 registered at Handwara Police Station under Section 8(2) of the NDPS Act, 1985.

Subsequently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the investigation and re-registered the case on 23.06.2020 as RC-03/2020/NIA/JMU under various sections of IPC, NDPS Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

Charge-sheet and supplementary charge-sheets were filed by NIA against Peer and 13 other accused persons for drug trafficking and related offences.

ED’s investigation found that Peer had been twice arrested since 2017 with heroin, confirming his active involvement in smuggling, distribution, and transportation of narcotics.

He received approximately ₹2.15 crore from the sale of smuggled heroin and transportation fees paid by co-accused, and these amounts were credited into his bank accounts.

Using these proceeds of crime, Peer purchased a residential property at Plot No. 79, HIG Colony, Bemina, Srinagar, valued at ₹1.5 crore, in the name of his wife to conceal the illicit origin of the funds.

ED’s Findings:

Peer was engaged in the smuggling, transportation, and sale of heroin, constituting “proceeds of crime” under Section 2(1)(u) of PMLA.

The accused projected and claimed the illegal earnings as untainted by showing them as business income.

The property purchased in his wife’s name was found to be created from illicit drug money, constituting an attempt to launder proceeds of crime.

ED established the role of both Peer and his wife in generation, possession, concealment, layering, and use of proceeds of crime.

Both accused were found guilty of offences under Section 3 of PMLA and are liable to punishment under Section 4.

ED has already issued an Attachment Order for the property worth ₹1.5 crore.

Legal Provisions Discussed:

Section 3 & 4, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 – Offence of money laundering and punishment.

Section 8(2), NDPS Act, 1985 – Prohibition on possession of narcotic drugs.

IPC, NDPS Act & UAPA Sections invoked by NIA in the predicate offence.

Section 44, PMLA – Filing of prosecution complaint before Special Court.

Status

Further investigation under PMLA is ongoing.