CHENNAI: Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials have been conducting searches in Chennai, Nagapattinam and Ramanathapuram at properties linked to three accused in narcotics and drug-smuggling cases investigated by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), as part of a wider operation across south India.In Chennai and Nagapattinam, the ED’s Zone 1 team searched at least 10 properties linked to Nizaruddin and Syed, who were arrested by the NCB in connection with drug-smuggling cases, as well as properties belonging to their relatives.Meanwhile, the ED’s Zone 2 team in Chennai has been conducting searches at eight locations linked to Alex Mahalingam in Nagapattinam.Alex was arrested by the NCB in April last year after he was allegedly found in possession of 1kg of amphetamine. He also has multiple cases pending against him in Velankanni and Keelaiyur, officials said.ED sources said the accused had allegedly built luxury bungalows and acquired multiple properties in the names of their relatives and friends. The agency will investigate whether the properties were acquired using proceeds of crime from illegal drug activities and money laundering.ED searches are also underway at eight locations in Kochi, as well as in other southern states, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
