Heroin boat: 6 Pak nationals named in NIA chargesheet

AHMEDABAD: The NIA (National Investigation Agency) has filed a chargesheet against six Pakistanis and an Indian in the case involving the seizure of 237kg of narcotics from a boat off the Jakhau coast in May 2019. The heroin found on the boat was estimated to be worth Rs 600 crore. The chargesheet was filed at the special NIA court in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act have been invoked.
According to the NIA, the Pakistanis in the chargesheet are Sardar Ali Sheikh, Alahi Daad Angiyara Shaikh, Azim Khan Baloch, Abdul Aziz Mohammed Zuma, Abdul Gafur Angariya, and Moahmmed Malah Mohammed Urs. They are all said to be from Karachi. The Indian charged with offences in this case is Ramzan Gani Palani of Bet Dwarka of Gujarat, who was apparently the intended receiver of the drug consignment.
The case relates to the seizure of heroin from a Pakistani vessel called Al-Madina. According to the NIA, the accused had conspired to bring 337kg of drugs into Gujarat but dumped some part of the consignment when confronted by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). “The boat was eventually intercepted by the ICG,” an NIA source said. “The operation resulted in the recovery of the cache of drugs and Pakistani currency notes, among other incriminating material.” The NIA said investigation against nine absconding Pakistanis is continuing in the case.
“The Pakistani boat attempted evasive manoeuvres but it was intercepted after a hot pursuit,” a Coast Guard source said. “However, the crew members threw some bags into the sea before they were apprehended.” In all, 196 packets containing heroin were seized from the boat. The case was later handed over to the NIA for further investigation.