ED arrests accused in Rs 89-crore International drug trafficking, money laundering case
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, October 24, 2026: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has arrested Baneet Singh Talwar in connection with an alleged international narcotics smuggling and money laundering racket involving seizures across Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.
The ED arrested Talwar on October 23 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. He was produced before the Special Judge (PMLA) at Tis Hazari Courts in New Delhi, which granted the agency five days of custody for interrogation.
The money laundering investigation stems from an FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Harpreet Singh Talwar, Baneet Singh Talwar’s brother, and others.
According to the ED, the case involves an alleged international drug trafficking network that concealed narcotics in semi-processed talc. The NIA has filed six chargesheets detailing the alleged syndicate’s links with drug cartels operating from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Dubai. The investigation has also named wanted alleged mastermind Vitaysh Koser, alias Raju Dubai, along with Afghan nationals and individuals allegedly linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
₹89 crore in alleged proceeds of crime identified
The ED’s financial investigation has identified approximately ₹89 crore in alleged proceeds of crime generated through drug smuggling, hawala transactions involving Afghanistan and goods received in kind.
Of this amount, around ₹76 crore was allegedly transferred to Afghanistan through hawala channels to fund terrorist activities, according to the agency.
Alleged role in routing proceeds of crime
The ED alleges that Baneet Singh Talwar managed business entities beneficially owned by his brother even after Harpreet Singh Talwar’s arrest by the NIA.
Investigators have also alleged that Baneet infused more than ₹55 lakh into M/s Magent India, an entity allegedly used in drug trafficking operations. The agency detected suspected round-tripping, mirror entries and multilayered financial transactions allegedly used to route funds back to him.
According to the ED, cash deposits were also used to purchase vehicles registered in the names of alleged benami entities. The agency had previously seized these vehicles. It further alleges that immovable properties were acquired using proceeds of crime for the benefit of Harpreet Singh Talwar’s family.
The ED said the action forms part of the government’s coordinated approach to dismantling drug trafficking networks, money laundering operations and hawala channels.
Further investigation is underway to trace additional proceeds of crime and establish the full extent of the alleged financial network.