Belthangady: ED begins probe into acquisition of 42 SIM cards case

Team Udayavani, Feb 14, 2024, 9:30 AM IST

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Mangaluru: The Central investigative agency,  Enforcement Directorate (ED), has launched a fresh investigation into the case involving the purchase of 42 SIM cards by 5 youths under various family members’ names.

The suspects Akbar Ali (24), Mohammad Mustafa (22), Rameez (20), Mohammad Sadiq (27), and a minor, have been booked by police. These 5 suspects, who were waiting to board a bus to Bengaluru at Dharmasthala, were detained by Dharmasthala police following a tip-off that a large number of SIM cards were purchased by them.

According to senior police officials, concerns were raised about the potential involvement of the five individuals in a foreign currency racket, in addition to suspicions of fraud or undercover operations. Subsequently, they alerted the ED and requested further investigation, particularly regarding the foreign aspect of the case.

It is gathered that ED officials have arrived, conducted interrogations, and gathered information from the accused. It is anticipated that the ED may initiate a new case and delve deeper into the matter.

It is also speculated that there may be a possible link to a Hawala network, where multiple SIM cards are often utilized for operational purposes. ED officials will have to scrutinize why the accused possessed a significant number of SIM cards, a police official said.