One FICN trafficker arrested in Malda, West Bengal

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team yesterday arrested absconding accused Mohammed Ashraful in Malda district of West Bengal for his involvement in Fake Indian currency note (FICN) smuggling in Kerala.

The arrest was made on the strength of a non-bailable warrant, issued against him by the Special Court in Ernakulam.

The investigation was led by the NIA's Chief Investigation Officer.

The case pertained to the seizure of high quality FICN with face value of Rs. 67,000 from migrant labourers hailing from West Bengal.

Six accused persons were arrested initially and FICN was recovered from each of them, while three persons including the absconder, Mohammed Ashraful had managed to escape from the scene.

NIA had filed charge-sheet against the six arrested accused persons under sections 489B and 489C of the Indian Penal Code, before the Special Court, Ernakulam on September 19, 2015 and trial of the charge-sheeted accused commenced on January 3, 2017.

The arrested accused will be produced before the NIA Special Court at Kolkata today, seeking transit remand for taking the accused to Kochi to produce him before the NIA Special Court at Kochi.