The anti-terror agency said after succeeding in importing heroin laden semi-processed talc stones in India through the legal import channel, the narcotrafficker located in Afghanistan, through the help of Pakistan-based intelligence agency ISI and an Iranian middlemen imported a large consignment of 2988. 21 kilogram of heroin, through the same modus operandi which was used to sent the consignment from Afghanistan via Bandar Abbas, Iran and then imported in India concealed as talc powder in the name of importing Company namely M/s Aashi Trading Company.”The proceeds of this sale for all these consignments, was to be used for funding terror activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba,” it alleged.The agency referred to the offence’s seriousness, trans-national ramifications, involvement of Intelligence agencies of countries having interest inimical to the country and the progress in investigation and said the court already dismissed the bail application of several co-accused in the case.”Investigations have already revealed that the mastermind of the instant ‘narco-terror’ is Pakistan’s ISI and Pakistan backed banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba. As such considering the totality of the matter in the respectful submission of the petitioner bail ought not be granted in the instant matter so as to prevent miscarriage of justice and obfuscation of the trial of instant international conspiracy of heinous nature,” the NIA said.The present case was pointed out to be “largest intercepted consignment of narco-substance” being brought to India through illicit means.Bhati called Talwar a habitual offender who was previously booked in several cases of smuggling, raising apprehensions of witnesses being either influences or killed if he was enlarged on bail.She referred to the case of a retired custom official, who acted as facilitator at Kolkata port for first consignment dated November 9, 2020 (pertaining to Talwar) but when he wanted to join the investigation, he was found dead (suspected suicide) in a hotel at Jungpura, New Delhi.Senior advocate A Sundaram, appearing for Talwar, argued there was no evidence to pin the charges of smuggling on his client and all he did was importing talc stones to India from Afghanistan.He said none of the witnesses named him to be involved in the conspiracy and the high court erred in not granting him bail.
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