DHAKA: The National Investigating Agency has managed to bust an inter-state racket that involves the circulation of fake currency and also smuggling of drugs. The two states in question are Punjab and West Bengal and the arrest of these operatives had led to the seizure of opium and high quality fake currency notes.
In a detailed chargesheet filed by the NIA, it is stated that Sunesh Kumar a resident of Ambala aged 50 and Rajan Chopra (25) from Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab were involved in a racket involving the circulation of both fake currency and opium.
The said Sunesh Kumar and Rajan Chopra were arrested by a joint team of West Bengal Police and BSF, on May 12 2025 at the Sujapur town under Kaliachak police station limits in Malda district of West Bengal.
They were carrying with them High Quality Counterfeit Indian Currency Notes having face value of Rs. 9,00,000 and also 847 grams of opium, in a Maruti Swift Dzire car, which was seized from their possession.
In view of the interstate linkages of the smugglers, and probable connections with smugglers from across the border in Bangladesh, NIA took over the investigation as per the orders issued by Ministry of Home Affairs.
During investigation by NIA, it was established that the two had driven in the car owned by accused Rajan Chopra, all the way from Punjab to West Bengal only to purchase FICNs and contraband drugs and were found in possession of the same.
The NIA will continue further investigation to identify and arrest the suppliers of the FICNs to the arrested accused and the contacts in Bangladesh from where the High Quality fake currency is suspected to have been smuggled.
The NIA says that this was a major operation ranging from Punjab to West Bengal and Bangladesh. It appeared as though the accused persons were connected with some in Bangladesh with whose help they were carrying out this racket. Punjab and Haryana are facing a major drug smuggling problem and through this case, we hope to identify and nab more accused, the NIA official also added.
