Dhubri: Police have arrested a 51-year-old lodge owner in connection with an alleged hawala network and are probing his suspected links with Bangladesh and communications with a hawala operator arrested in the case.The accused has been identified as Sahad Ali Sk, a resident of Netaji Subhash Road in Dhubri town and owner of Afrin Lodge.Police said the investigation centres on suspected hawala transactions and money movement linked to a network involved in cattle smuggling. Investigators are examining Ali’s contacts, communications and financial dealings to determine whether he acted as a conduit.Dhubri police station officer-in-charge Pritam Das said investigators were examining Ali’s contacts in Bangladesh and communications with a hawala operator arrested in the case.Das said 11 accused persons had been arrested and forwarded to court over the past few months. Police are tracing the financial trail and identifying others involved.Investigators are examining mobile-phone records and cross-border contacts. Police said the total amount allegedly routed through the network was still being calculated.The case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Assam Cattle Preservation Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
