ED raids 9 locations in J&K, Punjab in narco-terror funding case, freezes Rs 50 lakh
ED raids 9 locations in J&K, Punjab in narco-terror funding case, freezes Rs 50 lakh
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted searches at nine locations in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged narco-terror funding network operating between the two regions, officials said.
The searches were carried out by the ED’s Jammu Sub Zonal Office under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), at premises in Punjab and areas near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, they said.
The case is based on FIRs registered by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Punjab Police.
The ED said the investigation unearthed a well-organised, multi-layered network involving Punjab-based handlers Satnam Singh and Manjit Singh alias Maan and Kupwara-based operatives Safeer Ahmed and Kafeel Ahmed, who allegedly facilitated the smuggling of heroin from Pakistan into India through LoC-adjoining areas.
The agency alleged that Pakistan-based handlers linked to the banned terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen coordinated with the Kashmir-based accused to route heroin consignments into India.
In one such case, investigators found that 35 packets of heroin were smuggled into the country, of which five packets were distributed locally while the remaining 30 were concealed inside a truck tyre and transported to Srinagar, they said.
The consignment was later handed over to Punjab-based carriers Sarabjeet Singh and Honey Basra, who were intercepted at Banihal in September 2023 with about 31 kg of heroin packed in 30 packets, the ED said.
The probe further revealed that the Punjab-based network allegedly used forged documents, fake vehicle papers, concealed cavities in vehicles, multiple transport modes and cash transactions to move and distribute heroin.
The ED said it had also uncovered several other instances of heroin transportation from Kashmir to Punjab through the same network. More than 60 kg of heroin was allegedly procured from Kashmir-based operatives and supplied to Punjab for further distribution. The proceeds generated from heroin trafficking were allegedly diverted to finance terror activities, they said.
The investigation also revealed banking transactions involving high-value cash deposits in the accounts of Manjit Singh alias Maan and Sarabjeet Singh, the agency said.
During the searches, the ED recovered and seized incriminating documents and bank account records under the PMLA. It also froze multiple bank accounts holding approximately Rs 49.9 lakh.
Further investigation is in progress, the agency said.