The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Karachi Seaport (KSP) team on Thursday uncovered an international hawala network and recovered Rs3.8 million during an operation, according to an FIA spokesperson.
During an inspection, FIA officials noticed the suspicious absence of a vessel captain identified as Abdul Salam. The team apprehended him while he was allegedly handing over Rs3.8 million to Mansoor Baloch, the owner of a launch. The cash, suspected to be linked to illegal activities, was taken into custody.
An examination of mobile phones recovered from the suspects led investigators to key evidence connected to an international hawala network. According to the FIA, preliminary findings revealed that following a dispute over proceeds generated from the smuggling of 1,200 cartons of Iranian liquor, a launch named Al-Irfan was sold in Dubai for approximately Rs8 million. The sale proceeds were allegedly transferred to Pakistan through illegal hawala channels.
Initial investigations further indicated that Ghulam Hussain acted as a hawala facilitator in the transaction. WhatsApp conversations recovered from the suspects’ mobile devices allegedly corroborated the illegal financial dealings.
Baloch, Captain Salam, and Hussain had been nominated in the case. The arrested suspects, recovered cash, and digital evidence were being handed over to the FIA Commercial Banks Circle (CBC) Karachi for further investigation and legal proceedings. The FIA stated that it would continue conducting indiscriminate operations against individuals involved in financial crimes, hawala/hundi operations, and money laundering.
