Gupta brothers Ajay and Atul have been implicated by an American court in a case about money-laundering involving millions of US dollars by a notorious drug smuggler, investigative journalist Jacques Pauw claims in a Vrye Weekblad report. It says the Guptas’ names were mentioned in grand jury proceedings in New York by self-confessed drug smuggler Vijaygiri Anandgiri ‘Vicky’ Goswami, who has lived in SA at times.

US Attorney-General spokesperson James Margolin declined to comment, saying testimony before grand juries is confidential.

According to the report, an impeccable source confirmed that Goswami testified how the Gupta brothers deposited dirty money in bank accounts around the world. The testimony was led as Goswami co-operates with US authorities in an investigation into Mohammed Asif Hafeez, who is facing an extradition hearing from the US in London.

Goswami was allegedly introduced to Gupta associate Salim Essa in 2013 by an ‘ANC intelligence person’ identified as Thulani Dlomo, then head of special operations at the State Security Agency.

Dlomo was SA’s ambassador in Japan until recently, but was recalled for an investigation into fraud and corruption. Goswami reportedly testified before the grand jury that the Guptas told him it is ‘only a matter of time’ before they would control appointments at the SA Reserve Bank and also that they planned to acquire a commercial bank.

Essa reportedly denied that he ever introduced Goswami to the Gupta family or that he has met Dlomo. ‘I’m full of confidence that an objective investigation will prove that there is no truth or merit in the allegations that myself or members of the Gupta family were involved in any of the illegal activities of these individuals or syndicates.’

Full Vrye Weekblad report (subscription needed)