The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted searches at five locations across Chennai and Ramanathapuram in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged narcotics smuggling network that trafficked drugs worth over ₹258 crore to Sri Lanka.
According to an official press release issued by the agency, the searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on two cases registered by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The ED stated that its investigation has identified John Britto as the alleged mastermind behind both smuggling operations. Investigators allege that Britto procured narcotic substances and used fishing boats operating from the Sri Lankan sea route to transport the contraband.
The agency alleged that Britto recruited fishermen and boat owners, including individuals identified as Remistan, Ramish, Jansan and Pratap, to transport narcotics in exchange for commission payments. According to the ED, the network supplied drugs to contacts in Sri Lanka through mid-sea transfers designed to evade detection.
In one of the cases, officers of the DRI and the Indian Coast Guard intercepted a country boat in the Gulf of Mannar on March 5, 2024, and seized 99 kilograms of hashish with an estimated market value of ₹108 crore. In a separate case, DRI officials arrested Phillomen Prakash at Madurai Railway Station while he was allegedly transporting 37.645 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at approximately ₹150 crore.
The ED stated that its probe revealed that the narcotics seized in both cases were linked to the same network allegedly operated by John Britto. The agency further alleged that proceeds generated through the drug trade were routed through hawala channels and associates acting as money carriers.
Investigators have also claimed that Britto is currently absconding and is operating the syndicate remotely from a foreign location. The recent searches reportedly resulted in the seizure of incriminating material connected to the alleged laundering of drug proceeds.
ED, Chennai Zonal Office has conducted search operations at five places located in Chennai & Ramanathapuram in a matter related to cross border smuggling of Narcotics substances, under PMLA, 2002 on 26.05.2026. During the search operations, various incriminating evidence were… pic.twitter.com/8qsHXt4DvY
— ED (@dir_ed) May 27, 2026
The case has also triggered political attention due to allegations regarding Britto’s family connections. Critics have pointed to reports claiming that John Britto is related to Leema Rose Martin, mother-in-law of TVK General Secretary and TVK Sports minister Aadhav Arjuna.
For the uninformed. If you want to know why the Tamil Nadu press didn’t cover this, John Britto is Leema Rose Martin’s brother. Aadhav Arjuna’s wife’s uncle.
Wanted in a drug case and has fled abroad.
Some change da dei. https://t.co/xjr0sx6cfz
— Vijaykumar Shanmugam kaadaiyon (@vijayshan) June 5, 2026
However, this information is not shared or is the public made aware by media.
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