Arms smuggling case: NIA raids house near Angamaly in Ernakulam

KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) held searches in Ernakulam in connection with the seizure of 300kg of heroin, five AK-47 rifles and 1,000 live bullets from a Sri Lankan boat off the Kerala coast in March.It was a house at Kidangoor near Angamaly that was raided by the central agency on Saturday. According to an official statement, raids were also held at six more places in Chennai and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu as well.As per the statement, raids were held at the premises of accused and suspects involved in trafficking of arms, ammunition and narcotics from Iran and Pakistan to Sri Lanka. “During the searches, various incriminating documents, including books relating to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a proscribed terrorist organisation, seven digital devices, including mobile phones, SIM cards and tablets, were seized.Further investigation in the case continues,” the statement said.Seventh accused in the case, Suresh Raj had stayed at the house where the raid took place in Ernakulam. Earlier, the Q branch of Tamil Nadu police had picked up Suresh Raj from the house where he was staying on rent, on July 3. It was earlier revealed that Suresh was a Sri Lankan citizen who was illegally staying in the country. Sources said that he had even obtained identification documents, including passport, driving licence, election ID card and Aadhaar card during his stay. NIA is also learnt to have examined other places where Suresh and another accused, Soundarajan, had stayed.As per the statement, the case was originally registered on April 5, 2021 in Vizhinjam police station under Section 27 of Arms Act and Section 34 of IPC. The case was then registered against six Sri Lankan nationals. These persons were intercepted along with consignments of 300kg heroin, 5 AK-47 and 1,000 live rounds by Coast Guard on March 18, 2021.NIA re-registered the case on May 1, 2021. During investigation, NIA found the involvement of Suresh and Soundarajan and they were arrested by the NIA on August 2. Sources said that the NIA investigation has revealed that Suresh and Soundrajan had maintained contacts with a Pakistani handler who supplied the contraband. Based on a court direction, the duo was brought to Kochi and their NIA custody period ended on Friday.Earlier, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had arrested the six Sri Lankan nationals on March 25 after the Coast Guard interception.