NIA chargesheets 8 accused in LeT-linked transnational narco-terror network case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charge-sheeted eight more accused persons in the 2020 transnational narco-terror network case, involving the smuggling of drugs from Pakistan through the sea route into India via Gujarat. The drugs were aimed at financing the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit.

In the eighth supplementary chargesheet filed in the Salaya drugs case, NIA has conclusively established the narco-terror conspiracy, masterminded by Italy-based Simranjit Singh Sandhu, Australia-based Tanveer Bedi, and India-based Ankush Kapoor. The chargesheet has been filed under various provisions of the NDPS Act and UAPA before NIA Special Court in Ahmedabad, based on extensive digital, technical, and documentary evidence.

Besides Simranjit Singh, Australia-based Tanveer Singh Bedi, and Ankush Kapoor, the other accused persons named in the chargesheet are Pakistani national Tariq alias Bhaijaan, Gagandeep Singh Arora, and three other accused persons — Tamanna Gupta, Sukhbir Singh alias Happy, and Anwar Masih.

The case relates to the smuggling of 500 kg heroin from Pakistan into Gujarat via the sea route and further transportation to Punjab. The proceeds from the sale of the drugs were used to fund the activities of LeT, a proscribed terrorist organisation.

NIA’s investigations have revealed that the narco-terror conspiracy was spread across many Indian states, including Gujarat, Delhi, Punjab, and Chandigarh, with a footprint spanning several countries, including Italy, Australia, the UAE, Pakistan, Iran, and Thailand.

According to the investigations, Ankush Kapoor was a key mastermind in India and was responsible for managing the on-ground activities of the narco-terror 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.

Simranjit Singh was the mastermind of the narco-terror syndicate and was responsible for organising the illegal transportation, storage, and processing of the illegal drugs and terror funding. The investigations further revealed that Tariq alias Bhaijaan played a pivotal role in coordinating the smuggling of heroin through the sea route from Pakistan to India, overseeing its transportation, facilitating its distribution in Punjab, and channelising the proceeds for financing LeT operatives.

Tanveer Bedi, the Australia-based wanted accused, was actively involved in both the smuggling and transfer of drug proceeds through international hawala channels to fund LeT’s terror activities in India. The other accused, Tamanna, Sukhbir Singh, and Anwar Masih, have been charged for their deliberate roles in the terror funding conspiracy.

Further, one Gagandeep Singh Arora, a hawala operator who is currently absconding, has been charge-sheeted for facilitating money laundering of huge amounts and illegal fund transfers to terror operatives.

The ATS Gujarat had filed the original charge sheet, and NIA had filed seven supplementary charge sheets earlier. A total of 26 accused have been arrested in the case so far, while eight accused persons are absconding. NIA is continuing with its investigation to track the absconders and destroy the syndicate.