A case of seizure of arms, narcotics, fake currency and Pakistani phones from Amritsar in July has been transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) by the Indian Home Ministry for investigation into a suspected larger conspiracy by the ISI, a report in the Times of India said. In July, Punjab Police had seized 11 kilograms of heroin valued around Rs 550 million in international market, Rs 500,000 in Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), one Italian Beretta pistol and 38 live cartridges, and a Pakistani phone with Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited connection following the arrest of three cross-border smugglers. The report quoted sources as saying the proposal to hand over the case to NIA was moved by Punjab Police. “The Home Ministry has given its nod and a fresh case will now be filed by the NIA,” said an official. The sources said the Home Ministry wanted NIA to investigate a larger conspiracy by Pakistan to push fake currency, narcotics and arms into India using smuggling networks.
