- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made another breakthrough in the 2022 Attari heroin seizure case by apprehending the eighth key accused, Athar Saeed.
- Saeed, allegedly under the direction of the purported mastermind Shahid Ahmed, is believed to have managed the proceeds from the drug trade.
- Saeed’s role in the criminal network extended beyond mere financial management.
- He is accused of orchestrating a network of “hawala” operators and other facilitators to launder the proceeds earned from the sale of narcotics.
- The incident at the heart of the investigation revolves around the seizure of a staggering 102.78 kg of heroin, valued at approximately ₹700 crore, by Indian Customs officials in April 2022.
- Concealed within a shipment of licorice roots (mulethi), the heroin had originated from Afghanistan, highlighting the international scope of the illicit drug trade.
- The arrest of Athar Saeed represents a significant step forward in dismantling the drug trafficking network responsible for the large-scale heroin seizure.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made another breakthrough in the 2022 Attari heroin seizure case by apprehending the eighth key accused, Athar Saeed. This latest arrest brings the total number of individuals in custody to eight. Saeed, allegedly under the direction of the purported mastermind Shahid Ahmed, is believed to have managed the proceeds from the drug trade. His arrest, which took place in Delhi’s Daryaganj, marks a significant development in uncovering the intricate web of narcotics trafficking operations.
Saeed’s role in the criminal network extended beyond mere financial management. He is accused of orchestrating a network of “hawala” operators and other facilitators to launder the proceeds earned from the sale of narcotics. This network was allegedly utilized to transfer illicit funds from India to destinations such as Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, Saeed is implicated in aiding the prime accused in fleeing the country, further complicating the case.
The incident at the heart of the investigation revolves around the seizure of a staggering 102.78 kg of heroin, valued at approximately ₹700 crore, by Indian Customs officials in April 2022. The contraband was intercepted in two separate instances at the Attari checkpoint in Amritsar. Concealed within a shipment of licorice roots (mulethi), the heroin had originated from Afghanistan, highlighting the international scope of the illicit drug trade.
The arrest of Athar Saeed represents a significant step forward in dismantling the drug trafficking network responsible for the large-scale heroin seizure. The ongoing investigation underscores the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organized crime and safeguard national security against the menace of narcotics trafficking.
(With inputs from agencies)
