New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has executed a search operation at the residence of an individual implicated in the 2024 arms smuggling case in Bihar, uncovering a cache of weapons and additional incriminating materials, officials stated on Thursday. The operation was conducted on Wednesday as part of a case concerning the illegal smuggling of arms and ammunition from Nagaland, intended for distribution across multiple regions in Bihar, they added. From the residence of Sandeep Kumar Sinha, also known as Chhotu Lala, located in Vaishali district of Bihar, authorities seized a 9 mm pistol, 18 live cartridges of 9 mm, two pistol magazines, a double-barrel 12-bore gun, 35 live cartridges of 12-bore ammunition, and cash amounting to Rs 4.21 lakh, as per an official statement from the NIA. Sandeep is reportedly a close associate of Vikash Kumar, the prime accused in custody, and an active member of the arms trafficking network associated with this case. The case was initially registered by Bihar police, following the recovery of an AK-47 rifle along with live ammunition. During their investigation, the authorities arrested and filed charges against four accused individuals: Vikash Kumar, Satyam Kumar, Devmani Rai alias Anish, and Md Ahmad Ansari. Moreover, another individual, Manjoor Khan, was apprehended recently and is currently detained in Beur Jail, Patna, the agency noted. The investigation into the case was transferred to the NIA in August of the previous year.
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