ED Raids Kabir Talwar's Delhi Premises in 2021 Mundra Drug Bust Case

June 27, 2026 4 min read

Indian investigators searched multiple properties in New Delhi on Thursday, targeting businessman Kabir Talwar in connection with a massive narcotics seizure at the Mundra port in 2021. The Enforcement Directorate, India's financial crimes agency, executed the raids as part of a money laundering investigation linked to drug trafficking worth thousands of crores.

Investigators Execute Delhi Property Raids

The Enforcement Directorate team arrived at commercial and residential premises associated with Kabir Talwar before dawn, according to officials familiar with the operation. Investigators spent several hours examining documents, electronic devices, and financial records at locations across the capital. The raids form part of a broader crackdown on the financial networks supporting international drug trafficking.

Talwar's name first surfaced during the investigation into the 2021 Mundra port seizure, one of India's largest drug hauls in recent years. Authorities discovered the contraband concealed within a shipping container arriving from Afghanistan. The subsequent investigation traced financial transactions and business dealings that led investigators to Talwar's operations in Delhi.

Background: The 2021 Mundra Port Seizure

The case centers on a massive shipment intercepted at Gujarat's Mundra port in late 2021. Customs officials found approximately 2,988 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside a container allegedly carrying talcum powder. The drugs, valued at an estimated Rs 3,000 crore in the international market, originated from Afghanistan and passed through multiple countries before reaching India.

Afghan trafficking networks have increasingly used Indian ports as transit points for narcotics bound for global markets. The Mundra seizure highlighted how Indian criminal groups cooperate with international syndicates to move large quantities of drugs. The investigation revealed that Talwar's companies processed financial transactions connected to this operation.

Afghan Drug Trafficking Routes

Afghanistan remains one of the world's largest producers of opium and methamphetamine. Following changes in the region since August 2021, trafficking routes have shifted, with criminal networks increasingly using maritime routes through South Asian ports. Indian authorities have reported a rise in large-scale drug seizures along the western coast over the past three years.

Money Laundering Probe Under PMLA

The Enforcement Directorate is investigating Talwar under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which allows authorities to attach illegal assets and pursue prosecution for concealing proceeds of crime. Investigators allege that profits from drug sales were funneled through a network of shell companies and used to acquire real estate and business interests in Delhi.

The agency has been building its case file since the initial drug seizure, collecting evidence of financial transactions, property purchases, and business relationships. Officials stated that the Thursday raids were designed to gather additional documentary evidence and identify further assets that may have been purchased with trafficking proceeds.

Impact on Delhi Business Community

Property records accessed by investigators suggest Talwar maintained interests in wholesale trade and commodity businesses operating from commercial hubs in central and south Delhi. The raids sent ripples through business networks connected to his enterprises, according to traders operating in affected markets.

Authorities have not disclosed the specific number of properties searched or the value of assets being examined. However, the Enforcement Directorate indicated that the investigation spans multiple jurisdictions and involves coordination with central government agencies. Local residents near searched premises reported increased police presence during the operation.

Broader Crackdown on Narcotics Networks

The Talwar raids represent one component of India's intensifying campaign against drug trafficking networks. The Narcotics Control Bureau reported seizures totaling over 5 lakh kilograms of various narcotic substances in the past year alone. Federal agencies have been directed to target not just the drugs themselves but the financial infrastructure enabling large-scale trafficking.

Investigators are examining whether Talwar's network connects to other major drug cases currently under prosecution. The Enforcement Directorate has filed charge sheets in related matters, with trials expected to begin in the coming months. Authorities have also sought international cooperation to trace offshore assets and identify foreign collaborators.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

Talwar has not publicly commented on the allegations. Legal experts following the case note that the Enforcement Directorate must prove the money laundering charges in court, which could take several years given the complexity of financial evidence involved. The agency typically pursues asset attachment proceedings parallel to criminal prosecution.

Investigators are expected to question Talwar and his associates in the coming days. The Enforcement Directorate indicated that additional raids may occur as the probe expands. The case file will eventually be reviewed by the prosecuting authority before formal charges are presented to a special court handling PMLA matters.

What Comes Next

The Enforcement Directorate will file its findings before a competent authority within the prescribed timeline under money laundering laws. Investigators are expected to seek attachment orders for identified properties and freeze accounts linked to Talwar's business network.

Watch for the agency's next official statement, likely within two weeks, which may detail specific assets recovered or charges formally filed. The trial court's schedule and any potential bail applications will shape the case timeline going forward. Afghan authorities may also be asked to provide evidence regarding the original shipment's transit through their territory.