Haryana ATS arrests seven in alleged 'international narco-terror' network case

In a major crackdown the Haryana AntiTerrorist Squad ATS has unearthed a crucial case linked to an international narcoterrorism network with the arrest of seven accusedOne USmade pistol one 30bore pistol three cash counting machines five mobile phones 12 rounds of ammunition and 529 grams of lsquochittarsquo synthetic drug have been recovered from their possession as per IANS This is the first case successfully solved by the ATS Superintendent of Police Varun Singla said on TuesdayATS Superintendent of Police Varun Singla while briefing about the operation said that a firing incident was reported at Alif Laila Club in Panchkula in the wee hours of September 13Reacting to the incident the police team reached the spot initiated an investigation and collected evidence from the crime scene A young woman was injured in the firing incident and was provided medical treatmentDuring the investigation it came to light that five youths had arrived at the club in two vehicles While consuming liquor at the club they got into an argument over some issue following which one of the accused took out a pistol from the vehicle and fired two rounds injuring a woman However the injured was admitted to a hospitalSeven accused arrestedThe official also added ldquoSeven accused have so far been arrested of them three were apprehended from the spot one was arrested from Mohali in Punjab and three from Ludhiana During initial arrests a cash counting machine was also recoveredDuring interrogation and technical investigation important evidence emerged regarding the accusedrsquos links with an international narcoterror networkThe investigation revealed that some handlers of the network who are based abroad particularly in the US provided the accused with accommodation vehicles and money so that weapons narcotics and drug money could be transported to locations specified by handlersInvestigation transferred to ATSConsidering the seriousness of the matter the investigation was subsequently transferred to the AntiTerrorist SquadBased on the investigation one of the accused involved in the firing was arrested on September 15 As per IANS important leads were obtained from the alleged person regarding the network involved in supplying weaponsOfficials seize 529 grams of lsquoheroinrsquoBased on the investigation an accused allegedly playing the role of an intermediary in the network was arrested from Ludhiana on September 19 During police remand 529 grams of lsquoheroinrsquo were seizedFurthermore another case was registered by the ATS regarding the recovery of the narcotic substanceBased on information provided by the accused raids were conducted in Ludhiana resulting in the recovery of a vehicle a cash counting machine and other important evidenceThe mobile phones of all the accused have also been taken into police possession and technical analysis has been initiatedSuperintendent of Police Singla while briefing about the operation said ldquoThe investigation has revealed that the accused were working for an international narcoterror networkrdquoSingla added ldquoThe network allegedly used local handlers to deliver consignments of narcotics weapons and other objectionable material received across the border through drones to designated locations Vehicles and funds were provided to people associated with the network for this purposerdquo as per IANSHe also highlighted that the ATS is conducting an indepth investigation into the entire supply chain of the network financial trail sources of weapons and narcotics and contacts with handlers based abroadWith inputs from IANS