The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at 13 locations across Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday as part of an investigation into an alleged terror-funding and illegal infiltration network linked to Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals. The action is part of an ongoing money laundering probe conducted by the ED's Lucknow Zonal Office under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The investigation began after the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) registered a First Information Report (FIR) against an alleged organised syndicate. According to the ED, the accused network helped Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals enter India illegally. The agency alleged that the group also arranged forged Indian identity documents for them and assisted them in settling in different parts of the country.

The ED stated that its probe has uncovered an alleged financial network involving certain charitable trusts and other entities. The agency suspects that these organisations received large amounts of foreign contributions. It alleged that the funds moved through several bank accounts, mule accounts and layered financial transactions before reaching their intended destinations.

According to the agency, the money was allegedly used to support illegal activities. Investigators believe the network followed a structured financial pattern to move funds while reducing the chances of detection. The ED alleged that those involved relied on cash withdrawals and several small-value bank transfers to send money to suspected beneficiaries.

The agency is examining financial records, banking transactions and other documents collected during the searches. Investigators are also looking into the role of the organisations and individuals linked to the suspected network and tracing the movement of funds to identify everyone involved in the alleged operation.

The ED said the money laundering case is directly linked to the FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh ATS. The investigation focuses on the alleged infiltration network and the financial channels that supported its activities. Officials are working to determine how the funds entered the system, how they moved across different accounts and who ultimately received them.

The agency alleged that the network used multiple bank accounts and mule accounts to hide the movement of money. It also claimed that layered transactions made it difficult to trace the source and destination of the funds. Investigators suspect that these methods helped those involved avoid attracting attention from authorities.

Officials are continuing to gather evidence as the investigation progresses. The searches conducted across Uttar Pradesh are part of the agency's efforts to uncover the full scale of the alleged network. The ED has not disclosed the identities of those searched or any seizures made during the operation.

The agency said the investigation is ongoing and further details are awaited. Officials are expected to continue examining financial transactions and other evidence collected during the raids as they move forward with the case.