US puts Dawood in ‘kingpin company

NEW DELHI: In a boost to India’s attempts to nab underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, President George Bush on Friday imposed sanctions against the don and designated him as a foreign narcotics kingpin.

This comes just a few days after India handed over a list of 38 most-wanted criminals to Pakistan in which Dawood’s name figures prominently. The list was handed over during home secretary level talks between the two countries.

The US imposed sanctions on Dawood and his organisation — Dawood Ibrahim Organisation — which has operations in India, UAE and Pakistan, according to a White House statement, under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act).

The US ban has strengthened India’s bid to nab the underworld don who is wanted in India for his role in the 1993 Mumbai riots. India has for long been seeking international cooperation particularly from Pakistan in nabbing Dawood but little help has been forthcoming.

India’s intelligence agencies believe that Dawood is hiding in Karachi, but Pakistan has denied that Dawood is operating from there. But this new development is bound to put renewed pressure on Pakistan from the US and India, analysts said.

The Kingpin Act, which came into being in December 1999, will target Dawood, his organisation and operatives worldwide. The act will deny him access to the US financial system and all trade transactions involving US companies and individuals.

The US, however, was clear to point out that the act does not target countries in which foreign individuals and entities are operating. India has for long believed that his drug money is used to fund terrorist activities. And the US statement supported India’s claim.

“The action underscores the President’s determination to do everything possible to pursue drug traffickers, undermine operations and end the suffering that trade in illicit drugs inflicts on Americans and other people around the world, as well as preventing drug traffickers from supporting terrorists,” a US embassy release said.

The ban, which comes after a special Interpol notice was taken out against the don, is expected to make it more difficult for Dawood to continue with his worldwide activities. The US had designated Dawood as a specially designated global terrorist with links to Al-Qaeda three years ago.

Other individuals and entities designated this year as appropriate for sanctions under the Kingpin Act are Fahd Jamil Georges (Brazil), Ali Naway (Iran) and Amezcua Contreras Organisation (Mexico).

The total number of individuals and entities designated under the Kingpin Act is now 62.