ED raid on the premises of Akshay Kumar Chhabra and other associates in illegal drug trade case

EDconducted search operations under PMLA, 2002 at various locations in state of Punjab and Rajasthan

Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has conducted search operations under PMLA, 2002
at various locations in state of Punjab and Rajasthan on 31.10.2023 in illegal drug trade case.
A total of 25 residential and commercial premises belonging to Akshay Kumar Chhabra and
other associates were searched at Ludhiana, Mohali, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jalandhar 
(Punjab) and Ganganagar, Rajasthan. During the search, cash of more than Rs 4.5 Crore,
mobile phones, laptops, documents related to money trail and property transactions were
recovered and seized.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of case registered by NCB against Akshay
Kumar Chhabra and associates under various provisions of NDPS Act, 1985. During the
investigation it was found that 20.326 kg heroine was recovered by NCB from Akshay Kumar
Chhabra and other associates.
ED investigation revealed that Akshay Chhabra along with his associates were
involved in the manufacturing and sale of illicit drugs. They used to process smuggled
morphine/raw heroin through two Afghanistan nationals and distributed this processed heroin
to various drug dealers. Investigation revealed that Akshay Kumar Chhabra generated huge
proceeds out of the said illegal drug trade. The said proceeds were found to be transferred
abroad to foreign based raw heroin / morphine suppliers through Hawala Channels, utilised
by Akshay Kumar Chhabra for purchasing various movable/ immovable properties in his
name and in the name of his accomplices, infused in their related entities by way of handing
over proceeds of crime in cash to the handler of shell entities and raising fake sales invoices
to shell entities and thereby receiving credits from shell entities.
Further investigation is under progress.