Panaji: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) against seven accused persons — Vedasto Audax (Tanzanian national), Masoom Uikey, Chirag Dudhat, Tariro Brightmore Mangwana (Zimbabwe national), Reshma Wadekar, Mangesh Wadekar, and Nibu Vincent — under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

The case pertains to an ongoing investigation into an international drug trafficking and money laundering network involving Nibu Vincent and others. This development follows a comprehensive probe initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Crime Branch, Goa Police, in connection with the smuggling of 4.325 kilograms of cocaine into India from Laos, the agency announced.

Earlier, on August 19, 2025, the ED had conducted nationwide search operations at multiple locations across Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Goa, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. These operations resulted in the seizure of significant digital evidence, incriminating documents, and the freezing of several bank accounts suspected to be linked to the laundering of Proceeds of Crime (POC).

During the course of the investigation, Tariro Brightmore Mangwana was arrested under Section 19 of the PMLA, 2002, on August 22, 2025, for his key role in facilitating international narcotics trafficking and laundering illicit POC generated from drug smuggling. He was found to have arranged travel and financed Indian nationals acting as drug couriers. Further, Mangwana was found to be receiving commissions for these activities from the key accused, Vedasto Audax, a Tanzanian national.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of the PMLA, 2002, the ED has also issued a Provisional Attachment Order (PAO) dated October 18, 2025, amounting to ₹45.15 lakh in respect of a house at North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, belonging to one of the accused, Mrs. Reshma Wadekar, who had carried 4.3 kg of cocaine to India from Vientiane in March 2025 during one of her drug trafficking instances.

The financial investigation conducted so far by the ED has revealed generation of POC to the tune of ₹88.14 lakh associated with drug trafficking activities.

The ED’s investigation has further uncovered linkages of the accused persons with international rackets operating from the Golden Triangle, the Middle East, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other regions — networks responsible for the procurement and distribution of narcotic substances and associated money laundering operations. These findings highlight the global dimensions of the syndicate.

Further investigation is ongoing to identify additional beneficiaries, facilitators, and assets derived from the POC. The probe has also revealed the use of shell entities and benami accounts for routing funds, thereby disguising the origin of the money earned through drug trafficking.

The ED reiterated its commitment to unearth and dismantle drug trafficking networks by targeting their financial infrastructure. This action forms part of the larger national objective under the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’, aimed at creating a drug-free India. The ED remains steadfast in its resolve to trace, identify, and attach all assets generated through illegal drug trade and money laundering. DeshGujarat