KNZ NEWS DESK
NIA arrested accused Afaq Ahmad Wani s/o Ghulam Rasool Wani, r/o Maratgam, Handwara from Srinagar in connection with Handwara drugs case pertaining to seizure of 21 kg of Heroin and cash amount of Rs.1,35,89,850/- from the members of a drugs syndicate operating in J&K.
The case arose out of PS Handwara FIR No.183/2020 dated 11.06.2020. On that day, at around 07:30 hrs, Handwara police Naka party intercepted a white-colored Hyunadi Creta vehicle without registration number plate, which was going towards Handwara from Baramulla. The vehicle was being driven by one Abdul Momin Peer r/o New Colony Bemina, Srinagar. During search, a black colour bag was found concealed under the front seat of the vehicle, from which cash amounting to Rs.20,01,000/- and Heroin weighing 6.200 Kgs were seized and Abdul Momin Peer was arrested.Subsequently, J&K Police arrested two more accused persons viz. Iftiqar Andrabi s/o Atiqullah Andrabi r/o Laribal, Rajwara and Peer Islam-ul-Haq s/o Mohd. Ashraf Peer r/o Waskoora, Handwara. Houses of the accused were also searched, leading to recovery of more cash and Heroin.
NIA took over the case on 23.06.2020. Accused Afaq Ahmad Wani, who was working as Branch Manager at Baramulla Central Co-operative Bank, Handwara branch, was absconding since 11.06.2020. He was located and arrested from his hide-out in Srinagar on 16.07.2020. Earlier, cash amount of Rs.30,30,000/- and Heroin weighing 3.200 kg was seized from his house at Handwara.
He was produced before NIA Spl. Court at Jammu today and 12 days’ NIA remand has been taken for his custodial interrogation.
Investigation so far has revealed that the accused persons were smuggling Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in huge quantities through the LoC and the proceeds of sale were used to finance the activities of militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba operating in the valley. Investigation of the case is continuing.
