National Crime Agency
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Investigators follow up new lines of enquiry after appeal
National Crime Agency officers searching for a man wanted in connection with a Channel Tunnel drug-smuggling attempt are following a number of new lines of enquiry after an appeal for information on his whereabouts.
Indian national Balwinder Rai, 28, is known to have connections in the Hayes area of west London and Hollywood, Birmingham.
Investigators released pictures of him earlier this month in a bid to track him down.
NCA senior investigating officer, Steve McIntyre, 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.
“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 what he is suspected of being involved in.”
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 tonne of drugs in just a few months.
Anyone with information can call the National Crime Agency on 0370 496 7622 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
