Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Feb 26: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached immovable assets valued at around Rs 7.17 crore in Goa in connection with a major money laundering probe linked to international narcotics trafficking, according to an official statement issued on Thursday.
The action was taken by the ED’s Panaji Zonal Office under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation stems from a complaint lodged by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Goa, in March 2021 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act).
The case names Ugochukwu Solomon Ubabuko, Infinity John (alias David/Valentine Ejezie), and Prasad Prakash Walke as key accused. The NCB had earlier seized commercial quantities of LSD, cocaine, charas and ganja from premises in Assagao. Further searches at Walke’s residence reportedly led to the recovery of additional LSD.
According to officials, Walke has a history of involvement in narcotics cases. He was arrested by the NCB in 2018 and later by the Goa Police Anti-Narcotic Cell in 2023 in connection with cases involving MDMA and hydroponic cannabis. He is currently in judicial custody.
The ED’s probe found that proceeds allegedly generated from drug trafficking were routed into the formal banking system through substantial cash deposits across multiple accounts held by Prasad Prakash Walke and Sheetal Prasad Walke.
The attached properties — located in Assagao — include a three-storey residential building and two double-storey houses, collectively valued at approximately Rs 7.17 crore. The assets, registered in the names of Walke and his wife Sheetal, have been classified as “proceeds of crime” derived from scheduled offences under the PMLA.
The agency stated that the action aligns with the Centre’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ objective, emphasising its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks by targeting their financial infrastructure. Further investigation is underway to trace additional beneficiaries and facilitators allegedly linked to the syndicate.