2020 narco-terror case: NIA frames charges against eight

The NIA’s investigations have revealed that the narco-terror conspiracy was spread across many Indian states, including Gujarat, Delhi, Punjab and Chandigarh

By: Express News Service

Ahmedabad | Updated: October 8, 2025 07:02 PM IST

3 min read

The drugs were aimed at financing the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed the NIA (Representational/File image)

THE NIA Tuesday said it chargesheeted eight more accused persons in the 2020 transnational narco-terror network case involving smuggling of drugs (500 kg heroin) from Pakistan through sea route into India via Gujarat. The drugs were aimed at financing the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed the NIA.

In the eighth supplementary chargesheet filed in the Salaya drugs case, the NIA said it conclusively established a narco-terror conspiracy “masterminded by Italy-based Simranjit Singh Sandhu, Australia-based Tanveer Bedi and India-based Ankush Kapoor”. The chargesheet was filed under various provisions of NDPS Act and UAPA before the NIA Special Court, Ahmedabad, based on extensive digital, technical and documentary evidence.

The other accused named in the chargesheet are Pakistani national Tariq alias Bhaijaan, Gagandeep Singh Arora and 3 others – Tamanna Gupta, Sukhbir Singh alias Happy and Anwar Masih.

The NIA’s investigations have revealed that the narco-terror conspiracy was spread across many Indian states, including Gujarat, Delhi, Punjab and Chandigarh, with a footprint spanning several countries including Italy, Australia, UAE, Pakistan, Iran and Thailand.

Investigations revealed that Ankush Kapoor was allegedly a “key mastermind” in India and responsible for managing the on-ground activities of the narco-terror syndicate in Punjab. He coordinated logistics, storage and local distribution of contraband and facilitated funding to accused based both in India and abroad.

The NIA said Simranjit Singh Sandhu was the mastermind of the narco terror syndicate and responsible for organising the illegal transportation, storage, processing of the illegal drugs and the terror funding. Notably, he was arrested by the Interpol from Italy in January, 2020.

The investigations revealed that one of the accused, Tariq, played a pivotal role in coordinating the smuggling of heroin through sea route from Pakistan to India, overseeing its transportation, facilitating its distribution in Punjab and channelising the proceeds for financing LeT operatives.

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Tanveer Bedi, the Australia-based accused, was actively involved in both the smuggling and transfer of drug proceeds through international hawala channels to fund LeT’s terror activities in India. The other accused — Tamanna, Sukhbir Singh and Anwar Masih — have been charged for their “deliberate roles” in terror funding conspiracy. One Gagandeep Singh Arora, a hawala operator who is absconding, has also been chargesheeted for facilitating money laundering of huge amounts and illegal fund transfers to terror operatives.

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