‘Rs 29 lakhs cash also seized, money was being transported to Valley to be handed over to slain Hizb commander Naikoo’
SRINAGAR: National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday claimed to have arrested a person identified as Ranjit Singh, who is allegedly a notorious narco-terrorist, from Sirsa.
The statement issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reads that the NIA along with Punjab and Haryana police arrested Singh as he was acting as a conduit for Pakistan-based groups to push drugs into India and the money generated was used for terror activities.
NIA identified the accused as Ranjit Singh@ Rana @ Cheeta, son of Harbhajan Singh of Ram Tirath Road, Amritsar.
“Singh along with co-accused Iqbal Singh @ Shera are the prime accused in case RC-18/2019/NIA/DLI registered by NIA in connection with the seizure of 532 kgs of heroin hidden in a consignment of rock salt imported from Pakistan,” NIA said, adding that the seizure was made by the Custom Authorities at ICP Attari on 29.06.2019 when contraband was discovered during inspection of the consignment. Investigation revealed that Pakistan based entities are smuggling narcotics from Pakistan into the Indian territory by hiding it in sacks of rock salt which is imported from Pakistan.
“This is done through an elaborate network of importers, Customs House Agents, transporters and the operation is financed through illegal International Hawala channels. Investigation also established that the seized consignment was a part of a total of 5 consignments of drugs, 4 out of which had been successfully smuggled into India. First charge-sheet in this case was submitted by NIA on 27.12.2019 in the Special NIA Court, Mohali against 15 accused persons including 4 companies and also Ranjit Singh who had been absconding since then,” NIA said.
Singh as per NIA is also the “prime accused in the recent Hizbul Mujahideen terror funding module which was busted with the arrest of Hilal Ahmad Wagay, a resident of Nowgam, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir with Rs 29 lacs in cash in Amritsar by Punjab Police on 25.4.2020.”
“This money was being transported to the Kashmir valley to be handed over to Riyaz Naikoo (now killed), Chief operational commander of Hizbul Mujahideen. The case registered by Punjab Police in this connection, has been reregistered and taken over by NIA vide RC 23/2020/NIA/DLI on 08.05.2020,” NIA said.
The statement added that accused Ranjit Singh along with his five brothers is involved in smuggling and trade of drugs for past many years.
Several cases under FIR number 98 dated 23-04-2007 u/s 21-61-85 NDPS Act, PS-A- Division, Amritsar, FIR number 243 dated 10-09-2007 u/s 489 A, B, C, D, 25-54-59 Arms Act PS- Sadar Faridkot, FIR number 244 dated 11-12-2007 u/s 21-61-85 NDPS Act, PS- B- Division, Amritsar, FIR number 57 dated 02-05-2007 u/s 489 A, B, C, 420, 120B IPC, PS Kathunangal, Amritsar, FIR number 183 dated 04-05-2004 u/s 61-1-14 excise Act, PS Sadar Amritsar, FIR number 26 dated 30-05-2010 u/s 420 IPC, 42 Prison Act, PS Cantonment, Amritsar, FIR number 115 dated 07-07-2019 u/s 411, 414, 489 A, B, C IPC, 21/22/29 NDPS Act, 3,5,9 OS Act, PS Gharinda, Amritsar(Rural), was absconding, RC-18/2019/NIA/DLI dated 24.07.2019 us 120B, 121-A,122 IPC, 17,18,18-B, 20 UA(P)Act, 29 and 32 (B)(e) NDPS Act, and a case RC-23/2020/NIA/DLI dated 08.05.2020 under sections 10,11,13,17,18,20 and 21 of UAPA(arising out of FIR no. 135 dated 25.04.2020 PS Sadar Amritsar, related to Hizbul Mujahideen terror financing) have been registered against him.
NIA in a statement said that investigation has revealed that Pakistan based militant organisations are using narcotic trade to generate funds for terror activities in India. “The proceeds of narcotic trade are transferred to Kashmir valley through Couriers and Hawala channel for terrorist purposes,” NIA said.