The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has conducted significant search operations across nine locations in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, seizing approximately Rs 50 lakh in cash and incriminating documents as part of an ongoing investigation into a narco-terror funding network. The raids, carried out on Thursday, targeted individuals and entities allegedly involved in the cross-border smuggling of narcotics, with proceeds being channeled to fund terrorist activities.
The ED’s Jammu Sub Zonal Office led the operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the investigation has unearthed a sophisticated and multi-layered operation facilitating the flow of illicit funds between Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The network reportedly involves handlers based in Punjab, identified as Satnam Singh and Manjit Singh alias Maan, working in conjunction with operatives in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, including Safeer Ahmed and Kafeel Ahmed.
According to the ED’s statement, the investigation points to heroin consignments being smuggled from Pakistan, orchestrated by Pakistan-based handlers with alleged links to the terrorist organization Hizbul Mujahideen. These handlers are said to have coordinated with accused individuals in Kashmir, such as Safeer Ahmed and Kafeel Ahmed, to facilitate the smuggling of heroin through areas adjoining the Line of Control (LoC) into India. The ED highlighted a specific instance where 35 packets of heroin were recovered. Of these, five packets were distributed locally, while the remaining 30 packets were discovered concealed within a truck tire, intended for transportation to Srinagar.
The consignment was reportedly delivered in Srinagar to Punjab-based carriers, Sarabjeet Singh and Honey Basra. These individuals were later intercepted in Banihal in September 2023, found with approximately 31 kilograms of heroin, comprising the 30 concealed packets. The Punjab-based faction of the network, allegedly headed by Satnam Singh and Manjit Singh, is reported to have employed a range of illicit methods to transport and distribute heroin. These tactics included the use of forged documents, fake vehicle papers, concealed compartments within vehicles, multiple vehicles to evade detection, and cash transactions to manage the illicit trade.
The ED’s investigation has uncovered multiple other instances detailing the transportation of heroin from Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab. This organized network, reportedly led by Satnam Singh and Manjit Singh, allegedly deployed carriers and transporters to collect heroin consignments from operatives in Kashmir. These consignments, cumulatively exceeding 60 kilograms, were then delivered in Punjab for further sale and distribution. The proceeds generated from these heroin sales are believed to have been utilized to finance terror activities, according to the ED.
Further scrutiny by the ED has revealed significant banking transactions linked to this network. These include high-value cash deposits into the accounts of Manjit Singh and cash deposits into the account of Sarabjeet Singh. The search operations conducted by the ED, particularly in areas adjacent to the Line of Control, are considered crucial as they directly target the logistical infrastructure and local facilitators involved in the cross-border narcotics supply chain. The seizure of nearly Rs 50 lakh in cash and bank accounts signifies a substantial disruption to the financial operations of this narco-terror syndicate.
The modus operandi detailed by the ED suggests a well-established system designed to maximize profit from drug trafficking while simultaneously supporting terrorist financing. The involvement of Pakistan-based entities and designated terrorist organizations underscores the cross-border nature of this threat. The ED’s actions are part of a broader strategy to dismantle such networks and choke the funding channels that sustain terrorist operations in the region. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities seeking to identify all individuals and assets connected to this narco-terror funding scheme.
The seizure of cash and documents is expected to provide further leads into the intricate web of individuals and organizations involved in this illicit trade. The ED’s focus on the source-side logistics and local facilitators highlights a strategic approach to tackling narco-terrorism at its roots. The operations in both Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir indicate a coordinated effort to address the threat across multiple jurisdictions. The recovered materials are undergoing detailed analysis to establish the full extent of the network’s operations and its financial linkages to terrorist groups.
The ED’s investigation into the narco-terror funding network is a critical step in combating the dual menace of drug trafficking and terrorism. By targeting the financial backbone of these operations, the agency aims to disrupt their ability to carry out nefarious activities. The success of these raids underscores the persistent efforts of law enforcement agencies to safeguard national security by dismantling such complex criminal enterprises. The ongoing probe is anticipated to yield more information regarding the individuals and entities involved in this extensive operation.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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