Srinagar, 17 July : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday claimed to have arrested a key accused in the Handwara narco module case, saying that the accused who is a branch manager of Central Co-operative Bank Baramulla was arrested from his hideout in Srinagar.
In a statement, the NIA said that a key accused has been arrested, who is involved in Handwara narco module case and the investigation agency has availed 12 days remand for custodial interrogation from NIA special court.
“On 16.07.2020, NIA arrested accused Afaq Ahmad Wani, son of Ghulam Rasool Wani of Maratgam, Handwara from Srinagar in connection with Handwara drugs case pertaining to the 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,” NIA said.
It said that the case arose out of Police Station Handwara under FIR number 183/2020 dated 11-06-2020, wherein 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 of 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,” the statement reads.
Subsequently, J&K Police arrested two more accused persons identified as Iftiqar Andrabi, son of Atiqullah Andrabi of Laribal, Rajwara and Peer Islam-ul-Haq, son of Muhammad Ashraf Peer of Waskoora, Handwara. “Houses of the accused were also searched, leading to recovery of more cash and Heroin,” the statement said, adding that the case was later taken over by NIA on 23-06-2020.
The investigating agency said that 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,” NIA said.
Earlier, a cash amount of Rs.30,30,000/- and heroin weighing 3.200 kg was seized from his house at Handwara.
The NIA said that the accused was produced before NIA special Court at Jammu today and 12 days NIA remand has been taken for his custodial interrogation, the statement added.
“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,” the NIA said, adding that the investigation of the case is going on.
