EAGLE Force forfeits drug accused’s relatives’ properties worth Rs 2 crore

Hyderabad: In a major crackdown on the financial network of drug trafficking, EAGLE Force and Telangana police have traced and forfeited properties worth approximately Rs 2 crore belonging to relatives of a cocaine trafficking accused, besides freezing bank accounts containing Rs 43,655.

Sandeep Shandilya, Director, EAGLE Force, said the case originated last year with the arrest of Sriram Ananth Kumar and Peruru Veerababu, from whom police seized 107.4 grams of cocaine and two mobile phones by Narsingi police.

During the subsequent investigation, police expanded their probe beyond the seizure of narcotics and examined the financial transactions and assets allegedly linked to the accused. “Adopting a ‘follow the money’ approach, officials scrutinised revenue passbooks, sale deeds, property tax receipts, building permissions, registration certificates and other financial records to establish the ownership and source of funds used to acquire the properties,” said the Director, EAGLE Force.

During the investigation, two bank accounts belonging to Sriram Ananth Kumar and his family members, in which Rs 43,655 was frozen.

The police also identified two flats belonging to the suspect’s relatives, with an estimated market value of approximately Rs 2 crore, and initiated proceedings against them. Following confirmation by the competent authority in Chennai, the identified properties were forfeited on Monday.

The officials said the exercise was aimed at preventing drug traffickers from converting proceeds of illegal activities into movable and immovable assets and showing them as legitimate wealth.