The Hindu : New Delhi News : Crackdown on hawala dealers

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Saturday, Sep 08, 2007
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New Delhi

Crackdown on hawala dealers

Staff Reporter

Joint operation by law enforcement agencies soon

MALAPPURAM: A massive and concerted hawala hunt by various law enforcement agencies is likely to be launched soon to annihilate the network.

The simultaneous raids in 16 centres belonging allegedly to 10 hawala big shots in Malappuram district on Thursday were a precursor to the joint operation. Inspector-General of Police (Ernakulam Range) Vinson M. Paul, who heads the high-level police squad formed to crack down on hawala operators in the State, indicated that the hunt would be extended to other districts.

Even though no cash was seized and none arrested in Thursday’s raids, the police reportedly got incriminating documents and vital pieces of information capable of pinpointing to the ‘hitherto invincible hawala network.’

Mr. Paul said they would share the information with agencies such as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Customs, Intelligence Bureau, and Income Tax Department. All those agencies will conduct investigations using their means and methods, and a concerted hunt for the alleged kingpins will follow. Intelligence Bureau sources said though they were not apparently interested in cases related to hawala operations, the running of ‘a parallel economy challenging the country’s economy’ needed attention. The IG said, apart from examining hawala operations and its alleged links with politicians and Government officials, the team would look into whether the money was being used for fundamentalist activities.

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