Enforcement Directorate Arrests Six in Major Heroin Smuggling Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested six individuals as part of an investigation into a cross-border drug smuggling network under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The arrests were made in operations conducted on October 11, 18, and 20.
Key Individuals Arrested
The arrested individuals are Lovejit Singh alias Labba, Manjeet Singh alias Manna, Prabhjit Singh, Gurjot Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Gurpreet Singh. These individuals were key members of a syndicate smuggling heroin from Afghanistan and Iran into India.
Details of the Smuggling Operation
The investigation revealed that the syndicate smuggled heroin concealed within shipments of talc stone and gypsum powder. A total of 646.52 kg of heroin was seized, with significant quantities found at Nhava Sheva Port and in Faridabad, Haryana.
Financial and Operational Tactics
The syndicate used Sandhu Exports, a front company owned by Prabhjit Singh, to facilitate the smuggling. They disguised the origin of illicit funds through multiple bank accounts and cash transactions. Vehicles and encrypted communication apps were used for trafficking and coordination.
Seizures and Further Actions
Properties, bank accounts, and fixed deposits linked to the accused have been attached by the ED. The drugs were stored in a rented godown in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, and distributed in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana.
Doubts Revealed
Enforcement Directorate -: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is a government agency in India that investigates financial crimes like money laundering and foreign exchange violations. They help catch people who are doing illegal activities with money.
Heroin -: Heroin is a very dangerous and illegal drug that can harm your body and mind. It is made from a plant called opium poppy and is often smuggled into countries illegally.
Prevention of Money Laundering Act -: The Prevention of Money Laundering Act is a law in India that helps stop people from hiding illegal money. It allows authorities to investigate and punish those who try to make illegal money look legal.
Cross-border drug smuggling -: Cross-border drug smuggling means illegally bringing drugs from one country to another. In this case, drugs were being brought into India from Afghanistan and Iran.
Sandhu Exports -: Sandhu Exports is the name of a fake company used by the criminals to hide their illegal activities. They pretended it was a real business to cover up their drug smuggling.
Encrypted apps -: Encrypted apps are special applications on phones or computers that keep messages secret. They are used by people who want to hide their conversations from others, including law enforcement.
