Hunt for drug suspect’s cohort
Police investigate huge haul of cannabis
A WOMAN who was living with a suspected drug smuggler in Hayes is herself being hunted by the authorities.
The National Crime Agency is trying to trace Suvita Bharmotra who was living with 28-year-old Balwinder Rai, a man wanted on suspicion of smuggling as much as a ton of drugs into the country.
Rai is wanted in connection with a Channel Tunnel drugsmuggling attempt, and the National Crime Agency are following a number of new lines of enquiry after an appeal for information about his whereabouts.
Indian national Balwinder Rai is known to have connections in the Hayes area of west London and Hollywood, Birmingham.
Steve McIntyre, NCA senior investigating officer, said: “Since our first appeal we have had a number of reported sightings in both London and Birmingham, but we still need more information.
“We know that Rai has a female associate known as Suvita Bharmotra who was living with him at an address in Hayes.
“Bharmotra is a 36-year- old Indian national and we suspect she may have information regarding Rai’s whereabouts. I’d ask her or anyone who has information about where she might be to come forward.”
The appeal follows the seizure of 120 kilos of cannabis from a lorry at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Coquelles, northern France, in February.
Investigators believe the same crime group may have been involved in attempts to import more than a ton of drugs in just a few months.
Mr McIntyre added: “We also know that Balwinder Rai operated a man-with-a-van type business and I’m keen to speak to anyone who may have used his services or who may have rented him a vehicle.
“It is likely there are people out there who have done this in good faith, not knowing advice@ipso.co.uk
If you have a complaint concerning a potential breach of the Code of Practice, we will deal with your complaint directly or IPSO can refer your complaint to us.
Please go to http://www. trinitymirror.com/ w what he is suspected of being involved in.”
Anyone with information can call the National Crime Agency on 0370 496 7622 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. howtocomplain where you can view our Complaints Policy and Procedure. A “How To Complain” pack is also available by writing to the Legal and Compliance Department, Trinity Mirror PLC, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP.