The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken over the case against alleged international drug trafficking kingpin John Britto, who is currently absconding abroad in connection with multiple narcotics smuggling cases. Fresh revelations emerging from the investigation have reportedly brought his sister Leema Rose Martin and her daughter Daisy Aadhav Arjuna under scrutiny in connection with drug-related money laundering allegations in a report by Dinakaran.
The developments have sparked political controversy because Daisy is the wife of Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna, leading to allegations that the case has created pressure for the TVK government.
Drug Routes Through India and Sri Lanka
According to investigators, large quantities of high-grade narcotics are being smuggled into India from countries including Myanmar and Denmark through land routes. While central anti-narcotics agencies continue monitoring such activities, traffickers are allegedly using exports of food products and grains as cover to move narcotics into India.
Authorities believe that narcotics worth hundreds of crores are transported by rail through Chennai before being moved to Ramanathapuram and Mandapam, from where they are allegedly smuggled to Sri Lanka by fishing boats. Investigators claim that trafficking networks have been diverting the attention of central agencies while routing narcotics through Tamil Nadu and then onward to Sri Lanka before shipment to various international destinations.
Officials reportedly believe this network has been functioning for several years.
₹108-Crore Drug Seizure Exposes Alleged Network
According to the report, on 5 March 2024, the Central Narcotics Control authorities received intelligence that high-grade narcotics originating from countries such as Myanmar and Denmark were being transported through the Gulf of Mannar towards Sri Lanka.
Acting on the information, officers of the Central Narcotics Control Bureau and the Indian Coast Guard conducted a joint operation at around 5 a.m. and seized 99 kilograms of high-grade ganja valued at ₹108 crore that was allegedly being smuggled to Sri Lanka through fishing boats.
Interrogation of those arrested reportedly led investigators to John Britto (57), a resident of Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Sivanandhapuram, Sathyamangalam in Coimbatore district. Authorities allegedly identified him as a key figure with direct links to international drug trafficking syndicates.
Investigators claim that Britto headed drug trafficking operations into India and coordinated onward shipments to Sri Lanka.
Allegations of Operations Across 15 Countries
Authorities allege that narcotics were trafficked to as many as 15 countries through the network and that Britto accumulated thousands of crores of rupees through illegal operations. The investigation reportedly found that these funds were invested in various businesses through relatives and associates.
Officials claim that for several years Britto operated as a major international narcotics trafficker, moving large quantities of drugs into Ramanathapuram and Mandapam through trucks and cars before using fishing networks to transport them across international maritime boundaries to Sri Lanka.
Investigators have also alleged that narcotics were sold within Tamil Nadu through the same network.
Madurai Railway Station Methamphetamine Seizure
The report further states that acting on instructions allegedly issued by John Britto, three individuals from Chennai’s Vyasarpadi area – Yesuraj (35), Monisha Sheila and Philoman Prakash were involved in transporting narcotics by train in 2024.
During a surprise inspection conducted by Central Narcotics Control officers at Madurai Railway Station, authorities seized 37.645 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at ₹150 crore.
Investigators reportedly identified John Britto as a key accused in that case as well.
Fishermen Allegedly Used for Sri Lanka Operations
Authorities claim that narcotics brought into India were subsequently routed through Ramanathapuram, where fishermen identified as Remisthan, Ramesh, Johnson and Prathap allegedly received large sums of money to facilitate transport to Sri Lanka using fishing vessels.
The investigation reportedly found that payments were made through hawala channels.
John Britto is currently wanted in narcotics cases registered in Kerala and Gujarat. Authorities believe he has fled India and is hiding in countries including Myanmar and Denmark. He has been declared a wanted accused by central narcotics authorities.
ED Enters the Case
While the narcotics cases are currently being heard before special NDPS courts, investigators have also focused on alleged illegal financial transactions connected to the trafficking network.
The Enforcement Directorate subsequently registered money laundering cases against John Britto, his relatives and associates.
On 26 May 2026, ED officials conducted searches at five locations in Chennai and Ramanathapuram in connection with two cases involving the alleged smuggling of narcotics worth ₹258 crore to Sri Lanka.
According to information emerging from the searches, investigators allegedly recovered documents indicating that proceeds generated from drug sales had been invested in businesses operated by Britto’s close blood relatives.
ED Investigation Names Relatives
The report states that an earlier ED investigation dating back to 2018 found that money allegedly generated through drug trafficking had been invested in companies operated by relatives abroad and in assets held in their names.
Investigators reportedly found documents suggesting that Britto’s sister, Leema Rose Martin (54), her daughter Daisy Aadhav Arjuna (30), who resides in Venus Colony, Alwarpet, Chennai, and relative John Kennedy allegedly acted as benamis in financial transactions linked to him.
Ernakulam Court Proceedings
The money laundering case was subsequently heard before a court in Ernakulam, Kerala.
According to the report, investigators informed the court that John Britto, his sister Leema Rose Martin, Daisy Aadhav Arjuna and relative John Kennedy were connected to the case.
Following this, the Ernakulam Special Court reportedly ordered the freezing of their passports to prevent them from leaving the country.
The report further states that Leema Rose Martin and Daisy Aadhav Arjuna obtained anticipatory bail after depositing substantial security amounts.
The court also reportedly authorised the Enforcement Directorate to arrest them if they violated bail conditions by travelling abroad without permission.
The court had further directed that any overseas travel for urgent purposes would require prior permission and the payment of a ₹1 lakh security deposit.
Political Connections
Leema Rose Martin subsequently contested the Assembly election from the Lalgudi constituency as an AIADMK candidate and won.
Her son-in-law, Aadhav Arjuna, contested from Chennai’s Villivakkam constituency on behalf of TVK and was elected.
He currently serves in the cabinet led by Chief Minister Vijay and holds the portfolios of Minor Ports, Highways and Public Works, according to the report.
Passport Petition Reveals Family Links
The report states that Leema Rose Martin and Daisy Aadhav Arjuna approached the Ernakulam Special Court seeking release of their passports in order to travel abroad.
It was during those proceedings, according to the report, that details of their blood relationship with John Britto became public.
The report also notes that while filing her election nomination papers, Leema Rose Martin declared that four criminal cases were pending against her.
Among them, she reportedly listed Crime No. 533 of 2018 registered under money laundering laws involving her brother and daughter.
The report claims this officially establishes the connection between John Britto, Leema Rose Martin and Daisy Aadhav Arjuna.
Questions Raised Over Anti-Drug Claims
The report points out that Chief Minister Vijay has repeatedly stated that a dedicated anti-narcotics wing was established to combat the spread of drugs across Tamil Nadu.
However, it notes that Daisy Aadhav Arjuna, the wife of Minister Aadhav Arjuna, and her mother Leema Rose Martin, the AIADMK MLA from Lalgudi, have been named in the ED’s money laundering case related to alleged proceeds from drug trafficking.
Social activists cited in the report have questioned how the state government intends to eradicate narcotics when individuals linked to a serving minister are facing such allegations.
Political Motive Alleged Behind Revival of Cases
The report further alleges that because the BJP-led Union government and the TVK-Congress alliance are political rivals, authorities have revived the John Britto narcotics and money laundering investigations after they had remained inactive for nearly two-and-a-half years.
According to information cited from Delhi sources, the ED’s money laundering investigation could potentially lead to the arrest of Daisy Aadhav Arjuna and Leema Rose Martin at any time.
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