Crackdown in Kohat: 12 owners of illegal businesses arrested

Cash worth over Rs3.6 million seized from accused

PESHAWAR: At least 12 people were arrested during a crackdown against the owners of illegal hawala and hundi businesses in Kohat.

According to a press release issued on Thursday, the operation was carried out on the directives of Kohat RPO. Special directives had been issued by the apex committee to discourage the undocumented dispatch and receipt of finances in the province.

A majority of these illegal businesses provide an undocumented alternative system of banking that aids militant organisations and perpetuates corruption.  As per the press release, six different outlets were raided during the crackdown within the jurisdiction of city subdivision. Officials of the police, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) authorities and the district administration arrested 12 owners.

“Law-enforcement agencies seized cash worth over Rs3.6 million along with evidence in the form of written and fax receipts,” the statement read. “Multiple cheque books of fake accounts, list of customers and recipients, mobile phones and laptops were also confiscated.”

The accused were shifted to the FIA headquarters in Peshawar for further interrogation. According to the Kohat RPO, the raid was conducted after extensive and continuous surveillance. He added intelligence-based operations against those involved in this illegal business will continue across the region.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2016.