Pak using narcotics smugglers to sneak in fake currency: NIA

An investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has revealed that Pakistan is relying on narcotics smugglers to push Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) into India.

An investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has revealed that Pakistan is relying on narcotics smugglers to push Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) into India.

In the chargesheet filed against three alleged narcotics smugglers — Dilbagh Singh, Bikramjit Singh and Gurpratap Singh — the NIA has stated that Pakistani intelligence agency ISI is using smugglers in Punjab. The chargesheet has been filed in a special court in Mohali, Punjab.

"The Punjab Police arrested the accused and seized 11 kg of heroin, fake Indian currency, one 9MM pistol, 30 rounds of 30-bore ammunition, R2.25 lakh, one mobile phone with a Pakistani SIM card and eight cartridges of 9 MM from them. The case was handed over to the NIA owing to its national and international ramifications.

The agency has been able to identify the Pakistani smugglers being used by the ISI. For Pakistani and Indian smugglers, it was another way of making money. The NIA will send a court-approved request to Pakistan seeking its assistance in the investigation,” said a source.

According to investigators, the accused have admitted to having brought FICN consignment earlier also. Besides the FICN, they also brought arms and ammunition from Pakistan into India. “It is a very dangerous mix of narcotics, FICN and weapons. We are probing the matter further,” said a senior NIA official.