The Enforcement Directorate (ED) unit in Jalandhar carried out searches at 13 locations across Punjab, Haryana and New Delhi on 18 and 19 December, recovering large quantities of cash, precious metals and travel documents as part of a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Findings from the Jalandhar ED raid
Officials reported the seizure of 4.68 crore rupees in cash, 5.9 kilogrammes of gold bars — valued at roughly 8.07 crore rupees — and gold coins worth around 2.7 lakh rupees. Investigators also recovered approximately 313 kilogrammes of silver bars, assessed at about 6.42 crore rupees. In addition to the monetary and metal assets, authorities confiscated more than 50 genuine passports along with mobile phones, laptops, hard disks and other digital equipment.
The volume and variety of the material seized have led ED officers to treat the operation as more than an ordinary money‑laundering case. The agency said the raids were linked to an alleged network that facilitated illegal emigration through what is locally referred to as the ‘danki route’, and which may have generated proceeds passed through various channels.
Why the Jalandhar ED raid matters
The presence of large numbers of authentic passports and digital evidence suggests an organised mechanism to move people abroad using unauthorised or fraudulent documentation. ED has placed particular emphasis on the seized digital devices, which are being forensically examined to map communications, financial flows and international contacts. Tracing these links will be central to building cases against identified agents and intermediaries.
Prosecutors will use forensic findings and documentary evidence to establish whether the assets represent proceeds of crime as defined under PMLA. If so, the agency can proceed with attachment of properties, formal charges and extradition or mutual legal assistance requests where foreign connections are confirmed.
Next steps in the inquiry
Investigators are verifying the ownership of the passports and cross‑checking travel histories, visa records and immigration entries. The ED is expected to coordinate with police units and, where required, central immigration and foreign affairs agencies to trace any international movement facilitated by the network.
The action is likely to lead to further searches and arrests if forensic data and documentary trails point to specific organisers. Officials describe the operation as a significant setback for agents allegedly profiting from risky and illegal emigration schemes, and said the seizures demonstrate the scale of assets involved in such networks.
This raid follows a pattern of intensified enforcement against money‑laundering and trafficking networks across the region. Authorities have increasingly prioritised dismantling cross‑border criminal operations that exploit vulnerable migrants and launder funds through tangible assets such as bullion and real estate. The ED’s ongoing analysis will determine whether the case expands into wider national or international probes.
Key Takeaways:
- Jalandhar ED raid recovered 4.68 crore rupees in cash, 5.9kg of gold bars, 313kg of silver and gold coins.
- Over 50 genuine passports and multiple digital devices were seized for forensic examination.
- The action targeted an alleged ‘danki route’ illegal emigration and money‑laundering network under PMLA, 2002.
- Investigations are ongoing to trace agents, foreign contacts and proceeds of crime.
