Four hawala, crypto suspects detained

Dozens of passports, bank slips, currency seized in FIA raids

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Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). PHOTO: FILE

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FAISALABAD:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Composite Circle Faisalabad has arrested four suspects during separate raids for their alleged involvement in hawala, hundi operations, illegal cryptocurrency transactions, running an unlawful travel agency and human smuggling.

The action was taken on the directions of FIA Faisalabad Zone Director Sikandar Hayat and Deputy Director Muhammad Tariq. SHO FIA Ajmal Hussain led the operations.

In the first raid, two suspects - Hamza Shahbaz, son of Shehbaz Khan Anjum, a resident of Mardan Shah, Pindi Bhattian (Hafizabad district), and Hasnain Ali, son of Muhammad Hayat, a resident of Jahangir Pura, Pindi Bhattian, were arrested for allegedly operating an illegal hawala network and conducting unlawful financial transactions through cryptocurrency.

FIA officials said currency and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession. Investigations are underway to trace the extent of the financial network and possible links to other individuals.

In a separate operation, the FIA arrested Khalid Ali, son of Khadim Hussain, and Zahid Ali for allegedly running an illegal travel agency and facilitating human smuggling.

Authorities recovered seven Pakistani passports, a rubber stamp, a mobile phone, 68 bank deposit slips, three diaries, five cheque books, and a computer CPU from their possession.

Cases have been registered against all four suspects and further investigation is in progress.

Man booked for allegedly assaulting wife

Meanwhile, A man has been booked by police for subjecting his wife to violence, forcing her out of home and sending her an obscene video. According to the police, the complainant stated that her husband is a drug addict and has relations with other women. She alleged that he had assaulted her and expelled her from his house.

Later, after a compromise on a stamp paper, he brought her back home.