The National Investigation Agency (NIA) made a significant breakthrough in the Attari Border drug haul case from April 2022 by apprehending a crucial suspect, Amritpal Singh, on Friday. Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran district in Punjab, is the third individual to be arrested in connection with the recovery of 102 kilograms of heroin.
According to the NIA, Singh played a pivotal role in managing cash transactions and laundering drug profits through various banking and hawala channels. The substantial drug seizure, valued at an estimated ₹700 crore, occurred in two installments on April 24 and 26, 2022, at the Attari border in Amritsar. The narcotics were concealed within a consignment of Licorice roots (Mulethi) arriving from Afghanistan via the Integrated Check Post.
Singh’s apprehension unfolded at the Amritsar International Airport on December 12, 2023, while attempting to flee to Dubai. Immigration officers detained him based on a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued by the NIA on December 7, 2023.
The NIA’s investigation into Singh revealed his involvement in an intricate international drug nexus. He allegedly facilitated the movement of drug proceeds to various distributors within India and main accused individuals situated abroad. Singh utilized his travel agency and money transfer business for the transfer of drug profits.
Earlier searches conducted by the NIA on October 22, 2023, at Singh’s residential and official premises resulted in the recovery of ₹1.34 crore in cash, considered proceeds of narcotics. Investigations disclosed Singh’s involvement in transferring substantial sums to Dubai-based missing accused Shahid Ahmed and his India-based associate Razi Haider Zaidi, among others.
The NIA, acting on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ directives, took over the case and asserted that the drug consignment was sent to India by Afghanistan-based co-accused Nazir Ahmed Qani, at Shahid Ahmed’s behest. This consignment was intended for distribution across India under the direction of accused Razi Haider Zaidi for financial gains.
Previously, a charge sheet was filed by the NIA on December 16, implicating four accused individuals, including Shahid Ahmed alias Qazi Abdul Wadood, Nazir Ahmed Qani, Razi Haider Zaidi, and Vipin Mittal. While Mittal and Zaidi were arrested in August 2022, Shahid and Nazir, residing outside India, remain missing.
The recent arrest of Amritpal Singh marks a significant development in unraveling the complexities of this international drug trafficking case, shedding light on the extensive network involved in narcotics distribution across India.
Sources By Agencies