The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a series of high-stakes raids across five states on Thursday, targeting an alleged Rs 3,500 crore liquor scam in Andhra Pradesh that has sent shockwaves through the state's political and business circles. Officials confirmed that at least 20 locations in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and the Delhi-NCR region were searched as part of a money laundering investigation into kickback payments facilitated through bogus and inflated invoices.
The operations zeroed in on entities and individuals accused of orchestrating the fraudulent scheme, which allegedly involved siphoning off massive sums from liquor sales and distribution networks. Premises linked to several key players were raided, including Arete Institute of Medical Sciences, Shree Jewellers Eximp, N R Udhyog LLP, The India Fruits Pvt. Ltd. in Chennai, Venkateshwara Packaging, Suvarna Durga Bottles, Rao Saheb Boorugu Mahadev Jewellers, Ushodaya Enterprises, and Mohan Lal Jewellers in Chennai. ED teams scoured these sites for documents, digital records, and financial evidence that could unravel the web of corruption.
Sources within the ED revealed that the scam dates back to irregularities in the previous Andhra Pradesh government's liquor policy, where licenses were allegedly awarded in exchange for hefty kickbacks. The probe, initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), aims to trace the flow of illicit funds across state borders and identify beneficiaries in both political and corporate spheres. "These searches are a critical step in dismantling the nexus behind this multi-crore fraud," an ED official stated anonymously, highlighting the agency's determination to recover laundered assets.
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The raids come amid heightened scrutiny of Andhra Pradesh's liquor trade, a lucrative sector generating billions in revenue but plagued by allegations of graft. Political opponents have long accused the ruling dispensation of continuing corrupt practices, and this ED action could intensify calls for accountability. As the investigation unfolds, it may expose deeper links to influential figures, potentially leading to arrests and asset seizures. The ED's multi-state operation underscores the scale of the alleged scam, which could have far-reaching implications for governance and public finances in the region.
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