The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday seized about Rs.3 crore in cash during searches against an alleged hawala operator and his relatives in different parts of the Capital.
The operator allegedly transferred money out of the country via Dubai and Hong Kong.
Based on intelligence reports, the ED mounted surveillance on the suspect and on Wednesday, conducted searches at 10 places, including the residential premises of his in-laws.
The agency purportedly seized Rs.80 lakh in cash from the suspect’s residence and Rs.2.11 crore from the premises of his in-laws. The I-T Department is also being intimated following seizure of some jewellery.
Some transaction records have also been seized.
The ED, according to which a case has been registered against the main accused and others under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, suspects that he operated through bank accounts in Dubai. Investigations are also under way to ascertain his suspected links with a Hong Kong-based company.
While the agency is presently recording statements of those from whom the purported seizures have been made, it also plans to identify people on whose behalf huge amounts of money were being sent abroad through illegal channels.
