The Narcotics Control Bureau' (NCB) has arrested three more persons, one Indian and two Afghan nationals, in connection with the recent seizure of about 50 kg of heroin from a house in south Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area.

“In continuance to the seizure of 50 kg heroin and 47 kg suspected narcotic powder and Rs 30 lakh cash by Narcotics Control Bureau, Delhi Zonal Unit on 27.04.2022 from Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh Area, three persons have been apprehended by NCB in follow-up,” the agency said in a statement.

Acting upon various revelations made by the arrested persons in the case and after working on intelligence inputs received, the arrests were made on Thursday.

They were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The three, including an Indian and two Afghans, were apprehended from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi respectively. Presently, all are under NCB custody for further investigation in the case, it further said.

Earlier, a 40-year-old man was arrested by the NCB in the case.The NCB officials said "terror links cannot be ruled out" in this case and these under the agency’s probe.

The seized heroin originated from Afghanistan and the cash found is suspected to have been channelled through hawala. The agency also seized cash-counting machines and some other "incriminating" material from the premises. An Indo-Afghan syndicate based in Delhi, the National Capital Region and the neighbouring States is linked with the case. These syndicates have expertise in manufacturing and adulterating heroin locally. The "kingpin" of the syndicate is based in Dubai and the agency is probing the case further, including certain links with Pakistan-based narcotics operatives.

The India-Afghanistan syndicates smuggle goods into India through maritime as well as land-border routes and heroin is smuggled with legitimate goods and cargo.