NIA files chargesheet against eight more accused in LeT-linked narco-terror case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against eight more accused persons in the 2020 transnational narco-terror network case involving the smuggling of drugs from Pakistan via a sea route to Gujarat.

In the eighth supplementary chargesheet filed in the Salaya drug smuggling case, the NIA has “conclusively established the narco-terror conspiracy, masterminded by Italy-based Simranjit Singh Sandhu, Australia-based Tanveer Bedi, and Ankush Kapoor from India”.

“…other accused persons named in the chargesheet are Pakistani national Tariq aka ‘Bhaijaan’, Gagandeep Singh Arora, and three other accused persons — Tamanna Gupta, Sukhbir Singh aka Happy, and Anwar Masih,” the agency said.

The case is related to smuggling of 500 kg of heroin from Pakistan into Gujarat via a sea route, and its further transportation to Punjab. The proceeds from the sale of the drugs were used to fund the activities of globally proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

According to the NIA, the narco-terror network was spread across several Indian States and Union Territories, including Gujarat, Delhi, Punjab, and Chandigarh, and several countries, including Italy, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Iran, and Thailand.

Kapoor was a key “mastermind” in India and was responsible for managing the on-ground activities of the syndicate in Punjab. He coordinated logistics, storage, and local distribution of the contraband, and actively  facilitated funding to accused persons based both in India and abroad, as alleged.

Sandhu allegedly organised the illegal transportation, storage, processing of illegal drugs, and terror funding. “Tariq aka Bhaijaan played a pivotal role in coordinating the smuggling of heroin through sea route from Pakistan to India, overseeing its transportation, facilitating its distribution in Punjab, and channelising the proceeds for financing LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) operatives,” it said.

Bedi was involved in both the smuggling and transfer of drug proceeds through international hawala channels to fund the LeT’s activities in India. The other accused, Tamanna, Sukhbir Singh, and Anwar Masih, have been charged, and were also part of the network.

“Further, one Gagandeep Singh Arora, a hawala operator who is currently absconding, has been chargesheeted for facilitating money laundering of huge amounts and illegal fund transfers to terror operatives,” the agency said, adding that the Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad had earlier filed the first chargesheet.

“A total of 26 accused have been arrested in the case so far, while eight accused persons are absconding,” the NIA said.