MOHALI (Gurpreet Singh): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has secured the conviction of Dara Singh and Gurdarshan Singh in a money laundering case linked to drug trafficking involving 1.230 kg of cocaine, marking another action by the agency against the financial networks allegedly connected to illegal narcotics trade.
The Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in SAS Nagar (Mohali) convicted both men on charges of money laundering under Section 3 of the PMLA, which is punishable under Section 4 of the legislation.
The court delivered its verdict on the case on Thursday and awarded three years of rigorous imprisonment to each accused. In addition to the prison sentence, both Dara Singh and Gurdarshan Singh were ordered to pay a fine of ₹5,000 each, according to the ED.
Case linked to cocaine trafficking
The money laundering proceedings stemmed from a drug trafficking case involving the seizure and trafficking of 1.230 kg of cocaine.
The ED’s action focused on the financial aspect of the alleged drug operation, as the agency continues to target the movement and use of proceeds generated through illicit narcotics activities.
Under the PMLA, authorities can pursue assets and financial transactions connected with proceeds of crime in addition to the underlying criminal activity.
ED targets financial networks behind drugs
The agency said the conviction underscores its efforts to disrupt the financial infrastructure that enables drug trafficking.
Rather than focusing only on the physical movement of narcotics, enforcement agencies have increasingly sought to identify the money generated from illegal drug networks and the channels through which those funds are handled.
The conviction of the two accused is being viewed by the ED as part of that broader approach to tackling the financial ecosystem associated with organised drug trafficking.
Both accused sentenced to rigorous imprisonment
Following the conviction, the Special PMLA Court sentenced Dara Singh and Gurdarshan Singh to three years of rigorous imprisonment each.
The court also imposed a monetary penalty of ₹5,000 on each convict.
The ED said the outcome reinforces its continuing efforts to pursue money laundering cases arising from offences involving illicit drugs and to weaken the financial foundations that support such criminal networks.
