ED attaches accused’s property worth Rs 3.59 crore

Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Cochin, has provisionally attached properties worth Rs 3.59 crore belonging to those accused in the case of seizure of drugs and arms from a Sri Lankan boat.
The attached properties include land, 12 vehicles, cash and bank deposits belonging to Lankan nationals Suresh Raj A, Satkunam alias Sabeshan, Ramesh A, and Soundararajan alias Sounder.
ED said in a statement that on March 18, 2021, the Coast Guard intercepted Ravihansi, a Sri Lankan fishing boat near Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep within the territorial waters of India.
The boat was carrying over 300kg of heroin, along with five assault rifles and 9mm ammunition. Subsequently, NIA, Kochi, took over the investigation and registered an FIR. Thereafter, a chargesheet was filed against the accused.
The statement said that ED initiated the investigation under the provisions of PMLA based on the FIR registered by NIA, Kochi.
The investigation revealed that the drugs and arms smuggled in the boat were meant for Suresh, Satkunam and their associates and the sale proceeds of the said drugs would be used for purchasing the next consignment of drugs and for revival of the banned terrorist organization LTTE.
The investigation further revealed that Suresh Raj A and Satkunam were involved in similar crime earlier with the active support of Ramesh and Soundarajan, the statement said.
The proceeds of crime totalling over Rs 3,59.35,455 were obtained by the commission of scheduled offence, the ED statement said.
The statement said that since the accused persons were possessing such proceeds of crime, they were provisionally attached via order dated April 8, the statement said adding that further investigation was in progress.