The mastermind behind an inter-state arms and narcotics trafficking case linked to Pakistan-based operators has been chargesheeted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), officials said on Friday.
In its chargesheet filed on Friday in a special NIA court, Jaipur (Rajasthan), the investigative agency charged Vishal Pachar under various sections of UA(P) Act, Arms Act, NDPS Act and BNS. “The accused was allegedly involved in procuring, transporting and distributing prohibited arms, ammunition and narcotics as part of the arms and drugs trafficking network spanning the northern states of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab,” the official said.
NIA investigations in the case revealed that his Pakistan-based associates supported the key accused by facilitating the supply of arms and ammunition and heroin. “The consignments were dropped near the border areas using high-powered drones, and were subsequently retrieved by members of the gang on the Indian side for further distribution. The gang members would also procure illegal foreign weapons to arm themselves against the police and other government agencies,” the official said
The accused used encrypted communication channels and cross-border couriers to smuggle weapons and narcotics into India through various states, NIA investigations in the case, which it took over from the state police, further revealed. A well-established nexus between illegal arms suppliers and drug traffickers was found targeting youth by pushing psychotropic substances to drive drug addiction, intending to exploit them and spread disaffection against the government machinery.