New Delhi/Agartala, March 27 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has temporarily seized properties, both movable and immovable, valued at around Rs 2.21 crore belonging to three individuals under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

These assets are reportedly linked to extensive trafficking of ganja (cannabis) in Tripura.

As per sources from the central investigative agency, the illicit gains were funneled through various bank accounts and other means.

The ED’s Agartala Sub-Zonal Office has named the accused as Bishu Kumar Tripura, Kamini Debbarma, and Bikash Debbarma.

The seized properties are believed to be the result of coordinated ganja trafficking activities both within the state and extending to other regions.

The investigation initiated under the PMLA stemmed from several FIRs filed by Tripura Police against Bishu Kumar Tripura and his associates, as stated by an official.

Among these is an FIR from Melaghar Police Station concerning the confiscation of 243 kg of dry ganja, and another from Bishalgarh Police Station involving 3,390 kg of dry ganja.

Both cases are linked to the Sepahijala district. Following these FIRs, the ED opened a PMLA case and conducted searches across various locations, including Bishu Kumar Tripura's residence.

During these searches, agents found 66 kg of cannabis at his home, resulting in a new FIR at Melaghar Police Station.

The underlying offenses fall under multiple provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), as well as the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

The ED's inquiry uncovered that Bishu Kumar Tripura and Kamini Debbarma operated as partners within an organized illegal ganja trafficking syndicate.

The contraband was sourced from Sepahijala district and distributed across states such as West Bengal, Bihar, and others.

The criminal proceeds were primarily received in cash via hawala or hundi systems, later deposited into bank accounts belonging to the accused and their families.

These funds were then invested in real estate, vehicles, a brickfield venture, and a flat in Kolkata.

To disguise the illegal income, the accused reportedly fabricated balance sheets to misrepresent their income and expenses, portraying the proceeds as legitimate business earnings.

Bikash Debbarma, a collaborator of the principal accused, is alleged to have knowingly permitted his bank accounts to be utilized for processing and receiving these illicit funds as directed by them.

His involvement facilitated the transfer and laundering of these tainted funds, including cross-border transactions. Ongoing investigations are continuing in this case.