The Special ED Court in Dehradun has framed money laundering charges against international drug traffickers Banmeet Narula and his brother Parminder Narula. The two were arrested in April-May last year after a probe revealed their involvement in drug smuggling through the dark web and laundering illicit funds using Bitcoin transactions.
Narula Brothers’ Dark Web Drug Empire
Originally from Haldwani, Uttarakhand, Banmeet Narula operated for over 15 years in Europe and the US, running a multi-million-dollar drug trade through dark web marketplaces. His illegal activities first came to the attention of US authorities in 2019, leading to his arrest in London that same year.
Following his extradition to the US, Banmeet was tried in a Columbia court, where he was sentenced in 2022 to seven years in prison and fined $5 million. However, he was granted bail in April last year and deported to India, where he immediately went underground.
ED’s Crackdown on the Narula Network
As soon as Indian authorities learned about Banmeet’s return, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched an operation against the Narula brothers. On April 26, ED officials raided their residence, leading to the arrest of Parminder Narula after extensive questioning.
Ten days later, ED discovered that Banmeet had returned home. He was summoned for questioning at the ED’s Dehradun office, where he was subsequently arrested. During the raid, 268 Bitcoins (worth ₹130 crore at the time) were seized from their computer wallets.
Money Laundering and Illegal Investments
Investigations revealed that Banmeet Narula used Bitcoin payments to send drug money to his brother Parminder Narula in India. Their bank accounts showed transactions exceeding ₹10 crore, which were invested in real estate and other assets.
Since their arrest, the Narula brothers have been in judicial custody at Suddhowala Jail, facing prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Sections 3 and 4.
Court Proceedings and Trial
On Tuesday, March 26, Special ED Judge Prem Singh Khimal framed charges against the brothers after reviewing evidence presented by ED prosecutors. While the defense denied the allegations and requested a full trial, the court scheduled the next hearing for May 4.
A Major Crackdown on Dark Web Drug Operations
This case marks a significant breakthrough in India’s fight against international cyber-enabled drug trafficking. Authorities are now investigating further links between dark web operators and Indian drug networks, aiming to curb such crypto-fueled illicit businesses in the future.
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