Thane Police on Saturday named Bollywood actor Mamta Kulkarni as an accused in the Rs 2,000-crore inter-country ephedrine racket that was busted earlier this year. They had earlier named her husband Vicky Goswami, who reportedly lives in Kenya, kingpin of the international drug cartel, reported ANI. Ten accused have been arrested in the case so far.
Thane Police Commissioner Paramveer Singh said interrogation of those arrested and other investigations pointed to Kulkarni’s involvement in the case. "According to new evidences, Mamta Kulkarni is now also an accused. We will send a request to Interpol for red corner notice against Mamta Kulkarni through the Central Bureau of Investigation. We are verifying her bank accounts and investments. Her husband Vicky Goswami is already an accused. Some others from Bollywood could also be connected to the racket. Investigations to verify this are underway," Singh added. Kulkarni is believed to be living in Mombasa with her husband.
In April, Thane Police seized 18.5 tonnes of ephedrine and 2.50 tonnes of acetic anhydride from a factory in Solapur. Ephedrine was allegedly being diverted from the Solapur unit of Avon Lifesciences Ltd and used for making narcotics.
“The key players of the racket had a meeting in Kenya in January this year. It was attended by Kulkarni, Goswami, and his partner identified as Dr Abdullah, Manoj Jain, director of Avon Lifesciences, and Jay Mukhi, who was already under arrest,” Singh said.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration also reportedly has the investigation, IANS had reported. The agency met Thane police officials earlier in the year since Goswami is also wanted in the US.
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