ED Traces Rs 74 Crore Hawala Transfer to Afghanistan Linked to Terror Funding

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) disclosed that it has traced a hawala transaction involving approximately ₹74 crore of proceeds from illicit drug trade. According to the agency, the funds were routed through informal money‑transfer networks and ultimately reached accounts in Afghanistan, where they are believed to have been earmarked for terrorist activities.

Investigators said the hawala channel exploited the lack of formal banking oversight to conceal the origin of the money and to bypass anti‑money‑laundering safeguards. The ED’s probe links the financial flow to known terror‑funding networks operating across the India‑Afghanistan corridor, raising concerns about cross‑border security and the effectiveness of existing monitoring mechanisms.

The agency has opened a criminal case under the Prevention of Money‑Laundering Act and is coordinating with intelligence and law‑enforcement counterparts in both countries. Officials indicated that further arrests and asset seizures are likely as the investigation progresses, underscoring the government’s resolve to curb illicit financing that fuels terrorism.