Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 17: The National Investigating Agency (NIA) today arrested Central Co-operative Bank Manager for his involvement in drug trafficking.
Afaq Ahmad Wani, who was working as Branch Manager at Baramulla Central Co-operative Bank, Handwara branch, was absconding for last 40 days and was arrested by the NIA sleuths from Srinagar.
Cash amount of over Rs 30 lakh and heroin weighing 3.200 kg was seized from his house at Handwara earlier.
Afaq Ahmad Wani son of Ghulam Rasool Wani, of Maratgam, Handwara was arrested from Srinagar in connection with Handwara drugs case pertaining to seizure of 21 kg of heroin and cash amount of around Rs.1.36 crore from the members of a drugs syndicate operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
He was produced before NIA special court at Jammu today and was sent to 12 days’ NIA remand for his custodial interrogation.
It may be mentioned here that Handwara police naka party intercepted a white-colored Hyundai Creta vehicle without registration number plate, which was going towards Handwara from Baramulla last month. 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 lakh and heroin weighing 6.200 kgs were seized and Abdul Momin Peer was arrested.
Police registered a case (FIR No.183/2020 dated 11.06.2020) at Police Station Handwara and arrested two more accused persons identified as Iftiqar Andrabi son of Atiqullah Andrabi of Laribal, Rajwara and Peer Islam-ul-Haq son of Mohammad Ashraf Peer of Waskoora, Handwara. Houses of the accused were also searched, leading to recovery of more cash and heroin.
The case was handed over to NIA on 23rd of last month by Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The NIA said that 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 Lashkar-e-Toiba operating in the Valley.
Follow our WhatsApp channel